The Prime Minister underlined the need to promote Council reform, referred to improved relations with neighboring Turkey, reiterated Greece’s support for Ukraine, supported Israel’s right to self-defense, but at the same time called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip . He also reaffirmed Athens’ commitment to resolving the Cyprus issue through the solution of the bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.
Participation of Greece in the Security Council
“At the Security Council, Greece will make every effort to act as a stabilizing factor. This project starts immediately, from our immediate neighborhood. After all, as a gateway to Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, Greece is 900 miles away from both Gaza and Ukraine,” said K. Mitsotakis.
Greek-Turkish relations
“Over the past year, I have met with President (Rep. Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey) six times, including our recent meeting on the sidelines of this General Assembly two days ago. Last December, we signed the Declaration of Athens, a document expressing our intention to resolve our differences in accordance with the principles of International Law and in the spirit of good neighborly relations.
“We will continue to explore ways to improve bilateral relations with Turkey. There is scope for further cooperation to address common challenges such as climate change and migration. We maintain open lines of communication to de-escalate any tension that may arise.
»Greece is willing to work to resolve the only outstanding outstanding issue with its neighbor: the delimitation of the continental shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zone in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean. We have not been able to settle this dispute for more than 40 years, but that does not mean that it is doomed to remain unresolved.
“I was happy to hear President Erdoğan say that the demarcation of maritime zones according to International Law is in the common interest of the entire Eastern Mediterranean region,” the Prime Minister emphasized.
Middle East
“The ongoing violence in the Middle East is particularly serious and the horrific ordeal of civilians in Gaza unfortunately continues. The escalation threatens to spark a full-scale war in the region.
»Greece calls on all parties, including Iran and those over whom it exercises influence, to refrain from perpetuating the current destructive cycle of violence, reduce tensions and engage constructively in the pursuit of meaningful de-escalation.
“A full-scale war in southern Lebanon must be avoided at all costs. People on both sides of the border have the right to live in peace without the threat of rockets or bombs destroying their lives. Greece fully supports the proposal for an immediate ceasefire for 21 days.
“In the wake of the October 7 attacks, Greece has always supported and will continue to support Israel’s legitimate right to self-defense, but how it does so matters. We must see the immediate return of all remaining hostages.
“There must be an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. However distant, however impossible it may seem today, Israelis and Palestinians must be given the opportunity to live side by side in peace and security. And the only way is to make the two-state solution a reality,” the prime minister noted.
Cypriot
“As Prime Minister of Greece, I reaffirm here today our commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus and to a solution on the basis of a Bizonal Bi-communal Federation, with one sovereignty, one citizenship and one international personality, in accordance with the relevant decisions of the Security Council of the UN.
“The two-state solution cannot and will not be accepted. It’s simply not a solution. The president (in-charge of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos) Christodoulidis addressed yesterday, from this stage, an emotionally charged and sincere speech, recalling the violence and trauma of the invasion of Cyprus 50 years ago.
He also expressed his unwavering commitment to dialogue to find a solution. I have complete confidence in this commitment. He is right to argue that international law cannot be applied à la carte and that history cannot be rewritten or erased.
»Greece fully supports the efforts of the UN Secretary General for the resumption of negotiations in this context. We call on Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot community to come to the negotiating table, at least to cultivate mutual trust and to discuss sincerely to reach a mutually acceptable, fair and sustainable solution” underlined the prime minister.
Western Balkans
“There was progress, but it wasn’t enough. Twenty-one years after the Thessaloniki Agenda, significant challenges remain. Let me be very frank: the countries of the Western Balkans must make the final decision to leave behind the traumatic legacy of the past.
»The revival of nationalist narratives and aspirations should have no place today in a region that is on the threshold of EU accession.
“Let’s start from the basics: international agreements must be respected and implemented fully and in good faith, whether we’re talking about Dayton, Prespes, or the Belgrade-Pristina agreements,” insisted Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
War in Ukraine
“Since February 2022, Russia has brought violence, misery and destruction back to the European continent. We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people who are fighting for their freedom and independence, as well as for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of their country. Respect for the territorial integrity of all states is the fundamental pillar of international law, the cornerstone of the UN Charter.
»In June, at the Ukraine Peace Summit, Greece joined many other UN member states in calling for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, with full respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within the internationally recognized its borders” said the prime minister.
Artificial intelligence
“Let me close by briefly addressing two critical issues for our common future: the advent of artificial intelligence and the negative effects of digital technology, especially on our children and teenagers.
»The power of artificial intelligence seems limitless. A technology that has the potential to change our world in a way that will probably surpass even the advent of the personal computer, the launch of mobile phones or the birth of the World Wide Web. However, the AI also has the potential to cause extremely high damage.
»Tech companies must come to the negotiating table and demonstrate that they will take tangible and measurable actions to prioritize security over profits. If they don’t, pragmatic solutions like banning devices from our schools—a ban Greece implemented starting this year—will be complemented by tougher regulatory responses.
»Digital technology is no different to any other industry that must operate under health and safety regulations. The general principle, the golden rule, is one and unchanging: do no harm,” he pointed out.
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