Greek FM Gerapetritis meets Syrian counterpart
Greek Foreign Affairs Minister George Gerapetritis held talks in Athens on Wednesday with Syria’s interim Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani, in a meeting aimed at strengthening bilateral ties amid ongoing instability in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean.
According to ministry spokeswoman Lana Zochiou, discussions focused on expanding cooperation, including the provision of Greek technology for institutional development and joint work on migration through specialized technical committees.
According to AMNA, Gerapetritis reaffirmed Greece’s support for Syria’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, while urging the transitional administration in Damascus to ensure inclusive governance without external interference. He also emphasized Greece’s commitment to protecting Syria’s Christian populations, highlighting the importance of maintaining dialogue between the Syrian authorities and the Patriarchate of Antioch, a key institution for Christian communities.
The Greek minister further stressed the need for respect for international law and the Law of the Sea, underlining the principle of sovereign rights for neighboring states.
Regional cooperation
The two sides also agreed to pursue closer regional cooperation, including the establishment of a trilateral framework with Cyprus. The first ministerial-level meeting could take place in September, on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly in New York.
