“The situation in the wider Middle East is extremely volatile and complex. It is a source of serious concern for the European Union and is causing severe disruptions to the global security architecture.” With this stark assessment, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis set the tone as he arrived at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Monday, June 23.
Gerapetritis placed particular emphasis on the recent terrorist attack at the Church of Mar Elias (Saint Elias) in Damascus, where more than twenty worshippers lost their lives. He described the incident as “a blind strike that underscores both the intensity and the asymmetric nature of the threat,” highlighting the fragile and unpredictable security environment in the region.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the Greek Foreign Minister presented a five-point proposal aimed at strengthening the EU’s role in the region. First on the agenda is the pursuit of a political solution through self-restraint and de-escalation. Secondly, he called for the protection of all civilians and the safeguarding of freedom of navigation.
The third point stresses the importance of the EU’s active involvement in ongoing diplomatic processes. He further underlined the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, emphasizing the interconnected nature of regional issues.
Gerapetritis advocated for unimpeded humanitarian aid flows to the Gaza Strip and greater support for the Palestinian Authority, enabling it to meet current challenges effectively.
Beyond Gaza, the Greek Foreign Minister drew attention to the wider implications of the regional crisis, noting that it also affects Syria and Libya — regions from which increased migration flows have been observed.
He underscored the EU’s responsibility to manage irregular migration effectively and reiterated the importance of adhering to international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
