Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis is set to welcome his Finnish counterpart Elina Valtonen Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m., at a particularly critical geopolitical moment marked by the war in Ukraine, the escalating conflict in the Middle East, and the growing instability along the European Union’s southeastern borders in the strategically important Eastern Mediterranean.
During Wednesday’s meeting in Athens, Gerapetritis and Valtonen, who previously held bilateral talks in Helsinki in October 2025 focused on European security, are expected to discuss bilateral relations, economic cooperation, and the broader political ties between Greece and Finland.
The two ministers will also exchange views on cooperation within the frameworks of the European Union and NATO. A significant part of the discussions is expected to focus on international and regional developments, with particular emphasis on Ukraine and the renewed escalation in the Middle East.
Immediately afterward, the Greek foreign minister will travel to Cyprus to participate in the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers, known as the “Gymnich,” taking place today and tomorrow (May 27–28) in Limassol. The gathering comes amid heightened tensions across the wider region, as the conflict in the Middle East intensifies once again.
As part of his talks in Limassol, in the presence of Kaja Kallas, Gerapetritis is also expected to raise the issue of escalating tensions in the Aegean Sea involving Turkey. The tensions are reportedly being reflected both through alleged airspace violations and through political rhetoric surrounding reports of draft legislation connected to the “Blue Homeland” doctrine — Turkey’s controversial maritime strategy asserting expanded claims in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Movement on the Cyprus Issue
Although, as of yesterday, Turkey was not expected to participate in today’s “Gymnich” meeting — since it is being held on the territory of the Republic of Cyprus during the country’s presidency of the Council of the EU — diplomatic efforts regarding the Cyprus issue are continuing under the auspices of the United Nations.
Next week, specifically on Saturday, June 6, the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, María Ángela Holguín, is expected to arrive in Cyprus. She is planning separate meetings on Monday, June 8, with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot pseudo-state.
Following those meetings, the envoy of UN Secretary-General António Guterres is expected to visit both Greece and Turkey.
Athens and Nicosia continue to express cautious optimism that tangible progress on the Cyprus issue could be achieved during 2026, before Guterres’ term as head of the United Nations comes to an end.
