Messaging the strong role of Greece in the region, Kyriakos Mitsotakis sent a message about Greece’s strong role in the region with his visit to Lebanon today, in the first visit by a European prime minister to the country since the latest truce and developments in Syria.

“The implementation of the ceasefire is vital for the peoples of the region,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said during his joint remarks with his Lebanese counterpart.

When he spoke at the meeting with Prime Minister Nicolas Lebanese President Nicosia during his visit to the Lebanese capital of Cyprus, he said in a joint statement with Prime Minister Nicolae Lebanon.

“We want to be a force for peace and stability, we want to be able to talk to everyone,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis said upon his arrival in Lebanon.

The Prime Minister received a warm welcome from Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. After a private meeting, they are currently holding joint statements.

“I am very pleased to be here to show our strong commitment to your country. You know the strong ties between Lebanon and Greece, I don’t need to repeat them, they are well known. The fact that I am the first foreign leader to visit Lebanon since the ceasefire and the developments in Syria means a lot to me. We have a lot to discuss,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis told his Lebanese counterpart during his reception.

“Exactly. I believe that, in a way, we are neighbors. Cyprus and Greece are so close to us and we always seek the best relationship,” Najib Mikati.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis had a meeting with the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berry, at the Ain el-Tineh Palace.

Earlier in the morning, the Prime Minister met with Patriarch John I of Antioch, in the presence of Metropolitan Elijah of Beirut.

The message of the visit

According to protothema.gr, Mitsotakis, before finalizing his decision to go to Lebanon, had communication with the Israeli side, given the close and strategic nature of the relations between Greece and Israel.

In any case, with his presence, the Prime Minister wants to send the message that Greece is also in favour of a ceasefire in the region, however fragile and difficult to maintain. At the same time, Mitsotakis argues that the model of the agreement applied in the case of Lebanon should be adopted in the case of Gaza, in order to stop the humanitarian tragedy.