G. GERAPETRITIS: I had the opportunity today to visit Armenia and meet with the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and the National Security Advisor. I also visited the Greek diplomatic mission in Yerevan. Greece maintains historical ties with Armenia that go back centuries. Armenia is a friendly country. It is precisely in the context of this long-standing friendship that Greece has always worked to express to Armenia its solidarity and provide security. Particularly today, at a time when territorial integrity is under serious pressure due to the events in the South Caucasus. It is particularly important, symbolically and in terms of good offices offered from Greece to Armenia to assist our friend and ally in all international fora. In the European Union, UNESCO on world heritage, and wherever else required, so as to find a solution that is just and viable, reflecting the principles of the United Nations Charter on territorial integrity, the inviolability of borders and the avoidance of any hostile act. For the Greek government, for the Greek state, it is a matter of principle to provide solidarity to anyone who is defending themselves and to anyone affected by any form of aggression.
JOURNALIST: Tomorrow, you are having a series of important meetings in Saudi Arabia, and on Friday, we are expecting your Palestinian counterpart in Athens. On Monday you start new meetings. It is a marathon of contacts in the Arab world, we would say.
G. GERAPETRITIS: Unfortunately, the Middle East continues to go through a significant crisis, now extending to a humanitarian crisis. From the very first moment, Greece has taken a principled stance in accordance with International Law, with the need to establish humanitarian corridors and avoid civilian casualties. Greece will continue to offer its good offices. And we will continue to do so thanks to our credible foreign policy, allowing us to gain in stature and being a credible interlocutor with all international players and the parties involved.
In this regard, I will visit Saudi Arabia tomorrow and other allied and friendly countries in the wider region, next week. On Friday, I will welcome the Palestinian Foreign Minister in Athens in one of his first, if not the first, visits to Europe since the events of October 7th. I want to emphasize that the Middle East, currently in a state of turmoil with the risk of flare-ups in other regions beyond Israel and Palestine, should be our first priority. And a priority that will lead to a solution that is just and viable. A solution based on the resolutions of the Security Council of the United Nations and one that ensures the prosperity of all the peoples of the region.
JOURNALIST: Thank you very much.
January 10, 2024