Greece as a stability factor and for humanitarian reasons has used its diplomatic capital and has undertaken to welcome in its territory 176 citizens of EU Member States and third countries on the Gaza flotilla, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lana Zohiou said in regular briefing of diplomatic editors.
«There was no prior agreement with Israel on business», stressed and added: «The communication was made exclusively for the landing of 176 civilians. Greece acted on the basis of Sea Law rules».
«We took responsibility under extremely difficult circumstances for the humanitarian work of receiving passengers», noted and noted that Greece's concern was to avoid escalation, security and protection of 176 citizens who arrived in Greece and were released to return home.
The Israeli ship had not been docked, he made it clear by answering relevant questions. «The landing of the occupants was by means of the Port Corps. Greece for humanitarian roles offered to disembark 176 citizens on its territory and made sure to return to their countries»As he mentioned.
He reiterated that Greece is in favour of full compliance with international law procedures and calls for universal respect for international law. He stressed that the agreement with Israel took place after the incident.
No official update or official Trump visit arrangement
I was asked about a possible visit by American President Donald Trump and American ministers, Mrs. Zooheu pointed out that «no official update or official visit arrangement».
«It has obviously expressed a positive attitude and intent to visit the American President in Greece. But for now we're there.», report.
He also noted that the strategic dialogue with the US is pending. There is mutual will to be realized by the end of the year.
As regards the Minister's programme, Mr Gerapetrite goes to Brussels on 11 May to participate in the Foreign Affairs Council. The theme of the agenda of the SNE is the Western Balkans and the minister will participate in a working breakfast of EU foreign ministers with the six Western Balkan partners. The agenda also includes war in Ukraine and developments in the Middle East.
On 12 May Mr. Gerapetritis goes to Bratislava where the Western Balkan Summit will take place. On May 13th, the Foreign Minister will meet with Croatia's Foreign Minister. The minister's tour of the Balkans is a matter of programming and will be finalized in the next period, Mrs.Zohiou said.
We support initiatives by France and Britain on the Strait of Hormuz
On the issue of Straits, Hormuz, the Ministry's representative reiterated that Greece supports the initiatives of France and Britain and noted that it will have a leading role in cooperation with the maritime community, but we are talking about the period after the end of hostilities.
«There is moderate optimism», point out. He also made it clear that the ASPIDS operation operates on a specific order. They are limited geographically, and noted that the minister and Prime Minister have been placed on the need to strengthen ASPIDS.
«Greece if and when all is translated into practice and the initiatives are implemented, has a recognised role given the fact that it holds the largest [...]», note. «So there is recognition of the weight of our country's participation in these initiatives».
«The freedom of navigation remains an absolute priority for us. Trade ships and civil infrastructure should not be targets», point out.
Asked about German allowances and the recent meeting with the German Foreign Minister, Mrs.Zohiou pointed out that Mr. Gerapetritis «He firmly raises the issue of German war debts to his counterpart. The issue remains open until the final solution. Our claims are active».
The mutual assistance clause pointed out that there are discussions in progress in the EU and stressed an accelerator was the events in Cyprus and the geopolitical environment.
As he said, the Prime Minister has stated that there should be a road map for EU Article 42.7 and will describe how to react if a Member State activates 42.7. It will take the form of an operational manual.
Referring to the Minister's recent visit to Libya he noted that the Foreign Minister and Libyan officials agreed on the need to hold a constructive dialogue. «Greece is firmly committed to the political process. It is in favour of holding free elections without restrictions, as the only way to resolve the Libyan issue».
Asked about the talks with the Albanian government on demarcation, he noted that it had begun years ago and was discontinued following the decision of the Constitutional Court of Albania. «At present it does not appear that we are close to this possibility.», report.
Common challenges of Greece-Jordan-Cyprus
The Minister's representative also mentioned the fifth trilateral meeting between Greece and Jordan and Cyprus held yesterday in Jordan. He noted that in the Joint Declaration, the three leaders confirmed their commitment to further strengthening and promoting the tripartite cooperation scheme and pledged to build a long-term strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The communication sets out the common positions of the three on developments in the Middle East, Iran, Lebanon and Syria. They stressed the commitment to the solution of the Cyprus problem within the framework of the UN Security Council resolutions. «The three countries face together the challenges in the region», report.
Note that «with Jordan we maintain close relationships between mutual trust and respect» and the country «plays a stabilizing role in the region, which is particularly turbulent».
«Αποδίδουμε ιδιαίτερη σημασία να διατηρηθεί η σταθερότητα. Η Ιορδανία εκτιμά τη στάση μας στο πλαίσιο της ΕΕ και του ΣΑ των ΗΕ. Είναι ιδιαίτερος ο ρόλος της Ιορδανίας στην προστασία των χριστιανικών πληθυσμών».
Σε πολύ θερμό πραγματοποιήθηκαν και οι συναντήσεις στο Κατάρ. Η Ελλάδα έχει εκφράσει την αλληλεγγύη της στα κράτη του Κόλπου και καλεί σε πλήρη σεβασμό στην κυριαρχία και την εδαφική ακεραιότητά του.
«Η Ανατολική Μεσόγειος με τον Περσικό Κόλπο συνιστούν ένα ενιαίο γεωπολιτικό τόξο για την ασφάλεια της περιοχής και για τη χώρα μας», υπογράμμισε.
Προφητική η σύγκληση της ελληνογαλλικής συμμαχίας
Αναφέρθηκε τέλος στην ιστορική ανανέωση της συμφωνίας για συνεργασίας στον τομέα της άμυνας Ελλάδας και Γαλλίας. Οι δύο χώρες συνδέονται με μια μακρόχρονη σχέση, στηριγμένη στις αξίες της ελευθερίας, του σεβασμού των ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων και του σεβασμού του Διεθνούς Δικαίου.
«Αποδείχθηκε προφητική η σύγκληση της ελληνογαλλικής συμμαχίας», σημείωσε. «Ελλάδα και Γαλλία συμπορεύτηκαν σε κρίσεις των τελευταίων ετών, φιλοδοξούν να αντιμετωπίσουν από κοινού τις προκλήσεις που βρίσκονται ενόψει».
