Mitsotakis at the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis participated in the Peace Summit for Ukraine held in Switzerland.

Following the Summit, the Prime Minister stated to ERT, “The fact that this summit took place with nearly 100 countries participating constitutes a significant global affirmation of the need to finally achieve a just and sustainable peace in this war. Countries from not only the European Union but from all over the world were present here in Switzerland, reaffirming that the war in Ukraine is an issue that does not only concern our continent but essentially the entire planet.”

Kyriakos Mitsotakis reiterated the significant problems caused by the war in Ukraine in the supply chain and the increase in the prices of basic foods. “It is also essential that all the countries participating in the Conference reaffirm their commitment to the United Nations Charter, the need to resolve differences by invoking International Law, and the inalienable right of each country to its territorial sovereignty, and the condemnation of changing borders by any means, essentially the power of the strong over the weak. I think this is a very important reaffirmation of these basic principles, which ultimately can be the only roadmap for a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine.”

Mr. Mitsotakis added, “And of course, a just and sustainable peace cannot in any way, as I mentioned in my intervention, mean practically the capitulation of Ukraine. That is why Greece, like all other European countries, continues to support Ukraine so that it can eventually come to the negotiating table from a position of confidence and not from a position of weakness.”

In response to a relevant question about whether the candidates for the significant European positions have been finalized, the Prime Minister said, “Indeed, I had the opportunity, on the sidelines of this important summit, to meet with several of my counterparts. As you know, along with the Polish Prime Minister, we have taken on the role of informal negotiators on behalf of the European People’s Party to conclude the distribution of important positions of responsibility. Yes, I am optimistic that tomorrow evening we will be able, at the informal leaders’ dinner, to agree on names that will be mutually acceptable, starting obviously with the candidacy of Mrs. von der Leyen to continue as President of the European Commission for the next five years.”