Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis met today (August 20) with the transitional Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic, Asaad Al-Shibani. According to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lana Zochios, the two ministers noted that today’s meeting represented a significant opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations, with the ultimate goal of upgrading them, in a geopolitically fragile context, given developments in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean.
During the briefing, they also discussed the provision of Greek technical expertise for institution-building and promoting cooperation in migration matters through the establishment of technical committees.
George Gerapetritis emphasized that “Greece consistently supports Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and reiterated the necessity of adhering to commitments by the Syrian transitional administration for inclusive governance, without external interference, from which no ethnic or religious community should be excluded.”
Interest in protecting Christian populations
Additionally, he reiterated “Greece’s unwavering interest in protecting Christian populations in Syria and the critical importance of maintaining an open communication channel between the Syrian transitional government and the Patriarchate of Antioch, as an institution that protects and promotes Damascus’ relations with the Greek Orthodox and Christian community in Syria.”
He also highlighted the importance of adherence to International Law, particularly the International Law of the Sea, as well as respect for the sovereign rights of neighboring states.
According to the Greek Foreign Ministry, George Gerapetritis and Asaad Al-Shibani “confirmed their willingness to promote regional cooperation through the establishment of a trilateral framework with the participation of the Republic of Cyprus, with a possible first meeting at Foreign Ministers’ level next September, within the framework of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.”
