The Secretary of State, Giorgos Gerapetritis, participated yesterday in a ministerial-level working dinner on the Middle East, organised by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Joseph Borrell, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and the President of the International Peace Institute Think Tank Zei Ra’ad Al Hussein.

The lunch took place at the offices of the International Peace Institute in New York, where Mr. Gerapetritis began his contacts in the framework of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly.

During the lunch, the latest developments in the Middle East crisis were discussed and ways to de-escalate tensions were explored. Mr. Gerapetritis stressed that Greece is ready to contribute to all necessary peace efforts, as an honest mediator who enjoys the trust of all parties involved. The Foreign Minister referred to the urgent need for a ceasefire, release of hostages, addressing the humanitarian crisis and preventing further expansion of hostilities.

The Arab interlocutors expressed their appreciation for Greece’s consistent principled stance in the Middle East crisis.

Moreover, Greece’s long-standing positions on the European perspective of the Western Balkans were reiterated by Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis at the breakfast working lunch at ministerial level of the informal group of the “Friends of the Western Balkans Group” in the EU, as well as of the six Ministers of the Western Balkan countries, which was organized this morning in New York.

Mr. Gerapetritis and his counterparts exchanged views on the reform agenda and the promotion of the process of integration of the Western Balkan countries into the EU during the term of the new European Commission, the promotion of which agenda in critical areas such as competitiveness and defense is a priority for Greece, the Foreign Minister noted.

Mr. Gerapetritis underlined Greece’s political support for the process of accession of the Western Balkan countries to the EU, a process which, he stressed, is becoming topical in view of the current major geopolitical challenges.

However, as Mr. Gerapetritis stressed, accession to the EU entails specific and inflexible obligations. Respect for the European acquis, accompanied by unwavering commitment to international law and adherence to good neighbourly relations is the only way to join the European family. Particular emphasis should also be placed on the implementation of reforms, particularly in relation to the consolidation of the rule of law and the protection of human rights.

Greece is prepared to support with all its forces the European orientation of the Western Balkan countries by providing technical assistance and know-how acquired through more than four decades of participation in the Union. But it is up to the countries themselves to fulfill the criteria foreseen, Mr Gerapetritis stressed.

Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis also had a meeting with his counterpart, Foreign Minister of North Macedonia, Timcho Mukounski, in New York on Monday (23/9).

The meeting took place at the offices of the Permanent Mission of Greece to the United Nations on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly.

During the meeting, issues of bilateral, cross-border and regional cooperation were discussed.

Furthermore, the Greek minister stressed once again that the European perspective of all the countries of the Western Balkans, including North Macedonia, depends on the fulfilment of the obligations stemming from the acquis communautaire and international law, including adherence to international agreements such as the Prespa Agreement and the maintenance of good neighbourly relations.