Greece’s Foreign Minister, George Gerapetritis, will take part in an extraordinary meeting of European Union foreign ministers on Sunday, March 1, at 6 p.m., as Brussels scrambles to respond to rapidly unfolding developments in the Middle East.
The emergency session, to be held via videoconference, has been convened by Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, in light of the latest regional tensions.
Speaking on Saturday, Feb. 28, Gerapetritis said he had been in continuous communication and coordination with allies and partners since the morning. His remarks followed a meeting of Greece’s Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA), chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Maximos Mansion, convened in the wake of U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran.
“Since this morning, we have been in constant contact and coordination with allies and partners in order to develop a common line,” Gerapetritis said. “Our priority and primary concern is the protection of Greek citizens in the affected areas.”
Gerapetritis stressed that dedicated telephone lines were already operating at Greece’s diplomatic missions to assist nationals, while urging Greeks in the region to remain in safe locations and follow embassy instructions. He added that the Foreign Ministry had an evacuation plan in place should it be required, emphasizing the state’s preparedness and its commitment to guaranteeing citizens’ safety.
He also noted that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy was maintaining constant contact with Greek-flagged vessels in the Persian Gulf. In closing, he reaffirmed that Greece would uphold a principled stance centered on safeguarding all its citizens.
