Our country is undertaking an initiative together with Cyprus and Austria after the rapid developments, in order for the E.U. to have an active role.
In addition, Greece will act both bilaterally and internationally as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council from 01.01.2025 for the peaceful resolution of disputes after the fall of the Assad regime.
In detail:
A. At European Union level
- Respecting the human rights and rights of women and all communities in Syria, including religious ones, should be an absolute priority.
- In addition, the unity, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria should be respected, with a smooth, inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition in the spirit of UNSCR 2254, free from foreign interference.
- With this initiative, Greece is in favor of the immediate appointment of a special EU envoy for Syria and the active presence of the European Union and its member states in Damascus.
- At the same time, it is pointed out that the fight against terrorism should continue.
- And as soon as conditions permit, to launch the reconstruction of Syria.
- The next day’s priorities should include protecting Syria’s cultural heritage and supporting voluntary refugee returns as a matter of priority.
B. On a bilateral level
- For Greece, respect for human rights and the rights of all communities, including religious ones, is an absolute priority. All actors will also be judged based on their attitude towards this issue.
- Athens is a reliable interlocutor of the Arab world.
- The Foreign Minister G. Gerapetritis talks regularly with his counterparts from the Arab countries, while he recently welcomed the Ambassadors of fifteen Arab countries to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition, it meets every six months with the Secretary General of the Arab League, which Syria rejoined in 2023.
- Greece has always stood by Christians in the Middle East and is in close contact with the Patriarchate of Antioch.
- Greece was one of seven EU member states that maintained an Embassy in Damascus before the crisis. Even now, the Greek Embassy in Damascus is still operating, while most of the Embassies of the major countries of the world have suspended their operations.
C. On an international level
As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council from 01.01.2025, Athens will also contribute in its new capacity to the Security Council in co-shaping the decisions concerning the global security architecture, with a view to consolidating international law and restoring the real concept the peaceful resolution of disputes.
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