The Foreign Minister Georgios Gerapetritis focused on the Strait of Hormuz and the safety of Greek sailors during his meeting with his Singaporean counterpart, Vivian Balakrishnan. “The safety of our sailors and ships, as well as unimpeded passage, are assets that are non-negotiable for Greece,” he emphasized.
Gerapetritis on Strait of Hormuz: “We will participate in teleconference”
More specifically, as Mr. Gerapetritis stated: “Greece’s geography and maritime tradition have made maritime security an integral part of our national strategy. In a short while, we will participate in a teleconference initiated by the United Kingdom with extensive international participation, which will address the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. The safety of our sailors and ships, as well as unimpeded passage, are assets that are non-negotiable for Greece.”
Gerapetritis’ statements
In detail, what the Foreign Minister said: “It is a particular joy and honor to welcome today in Athens the Foreign Minister of Singapore, Vivian Balakrishnan, an outstanding personality of international diplomacy. I had the excellent honor to discuss with him a multitude of issues and to benefit from his wisdom and knowledge.
Greece and Singapore are celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations this year, and today’s anniversary visit essentially confirms our mutual will to expand and deepen our cooperation.
Our countries stand for international multilateralism, International Law, especially International Law of the Sea, international protection of human rights, and the United Nations Charter. Principles and values upon which the post-war world has been built cannot and must not be abandoned today.
Our discussion focused on current international developments, particularly the war that has been raging for 34 days in the broader Middle East.
We call on all parties for immediate de-escalation and maximum possible restraint. Respect for International Law must be universal and the suffering of civilians must stop.
Diplomacy, not war, is the necessary path to achieve sustainable peace in the region.
We express our solidarity with allied countries in the region affected by the conflict. Particularly, Greece stands for respect of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we express our full support for its Government and people.
Both our countries, Greece and Singapore, attach particular importance to freedom of the seas. The war’s impact on freedom of navigation, which we had the opportunity to discuss with the honorable Minister, the effects on the supply chain and energy security have already become visible and constitute a major challenge for the period ahead.
Greece’s geography and maritime tradition have made maritime security an integral part of our national strategy. In a short while, we will participate in a teleconference initiated by the United Kingdom with extensive international participation, addressing the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. The safety of our sailors and ships, as well as unimpeded passage, are assets that are non-negotiable for Greece.
Honorable Minister,
Following the Greek Prime Minister’s visit to Singapore last November, your presence here confirms the mutual will to deepen our cooperation.
As countries located at strategic points on the world map with strong positions in shipping, we agreed to strengthen our bilateral cooperation in this sector and coordinate our actions to jointly develop initiatives for international shipping and within the International Maritime Organization.
We discussed significant prospects for deepening cooperation in cutting-edge sectors. I particularly mention green energy, high technology, innovation, energy transition, and of course bilateral tourist flows.
Greek exports to Singapore in 2025 recorded significant growth, but there is great potential to further develop our bilateral trade.
Within the framework of our cooperation in the European Union, we actively support the full utilization of opportunities offered by the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and Singapore.
We discussed Singapore’s assumption of the Presidency in 2027 of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which fortunately coincides with the Greek Presidency of the European Union Council in the second half of 2027. This gives us a unique opportunity to coordinate and upgrade relations between the two major international organizations into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
I would like to emphasize that in today’s constantly changing geopolitical environment, cooperation between states with common perceptions, such as Singapore and Greece, becomes even more necessary. Despite our geographical distance, we converge on crucial issues, share common concerns, principles and values, and operate based on fundamental rules of International Law and international multilateralism.
I would like once again to welcome you to Athens, honorable Minister, and thank you for the particular honor of your visit.”
