FM Gerapetritis meets with Palestinian FM Varsen Aghabekian Shahin

“Greece aspires to play an active role in Gaza and the Middle East on the 'day after', and we are ready to contribute substantially to its implementation, always on the basis of international law and the decisions of the UN Security Council,” said Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis following his meeting on Tuesday with Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, who is visiting Athens just one day after the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit and the signing of the historic Gaza Peace Agreement.

He stressed that this involvement will take the form of large-scale humanitarian aid aimed at alleviating the suffering of the civilian population. He recalled that “ Greece has already provided multiple forms of humanitarian assistance and participates in all relevant initiatives. The achievement of a ceasefire gives us the opportunity to do much more, in cooperation with our partners.”

Gerapetritis underlined that “ the stabilisation of Gaza is key to establishing security conditions and ensuring the swift return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza. Greece, as a partner and friend of all the states in the region, is a consistent and honest interlocutor. Our contribution will be crucial and significant.”

On reconstruction, he noted that Greece intends to mobilise its private sector in order to improve the lives of Palestinians quickly and substantially.

“ Today is a joyful day for the Middle East. The historic moment we are experiencing allows us to be cautiously optimistic,” the minister said, adding that “ the very agreement between Israel and Hamas is tangible proof of the power of diplomacy.”

Palestinian FM: ‘Today we have an opportunity for peace’

“ We must seize the opportunity for peace that exists today,” said Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin. “ We may not know 100% what is included, but we must make it work.”

“ From the Palestinian side, we will do everything we can to move from the first to the second stage. At the end of this road, we see the establishment of an independent Palestinian state,” she emphasised.

She noted that “ what Gaza needs today are the basic necessities. All countries around the world must contribute. The people of Gaza are devastated.”

“ Today, we are closer to the liberation of Palestine,” she said. “ We may not yet see it before us, but in our hearts we are closer than ever.”

“ We know we have a friend we can rely on,” she added, referring to Greece.

AMNA