NEW YORK (ANA-MPA/G. Garantzioti) –
Greece stands in solidarity with the Syrian people and supports Syria’s recovery, which can only be assured through a truly inclusive political transition, Permanent Representative of Greece to the UN Evangelos Sekeris said during a Security Council briefing on the situation in the Middle East on Tuesday, March 25.
Addressing the UN Security Council, Ambassador Sekeris called for the protection of all ethnic and religious communities, including Christians, Alawites, Druzes and Kurds, while he condemned violence. “The appalling violence in Syria’s coastal region has also increased the urgency for full accountability and transitional justice. The credibility of the interim authorities rests on holding the perpetrators of these attacks accountable. We expect the independent committee to work well and fast to this end,” Greece’s representative said, adding that “all Syrian communities should be able to live in Syria without fear”.
He also urged the UN to prioritize the goal of creating conditions for the safe and voluntary returns of Syrian refugees to their homeland, so they may contribute to its rebuilding.
Sekeris also called for the easing of sanctions in a gradual manner: “As part of the EU family, Greece has been stressing that the easing of sanctions shall be made in a gradual, conditional and reversible manner so as to ensure that our expectations are met in terms of an inclusive transition, accountability for recent atrocities, as well as full respect of International Law”.
Noting the pledge Greece made in support of Syria’s recovery along with the EU’s pledge of nearly 2.5 billion euros for 2025 and 2026, the ambassador underlined that “Greece reiterates its unwavering support for Syria’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity and condemns all systematic violations of Syrian sovereignty”.
