Yerapetritis: Our Goal is to Keep the Cyprus Issue on the UN Agenda

“From January 1, as we take our seat on the UN Security Council, our aim will be to keep the Cyprus issue actively on the UN agenda,” Gerapetritis stated.

Speaking to the Greek state agency AMNA, Gerapetritis highlighted Greece’s upcoming role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council starting January 1, sharing an overview of the country’s foreign policy priorities.

Gerapetritis expressed Greece’s aspiration to serve as a bridge between North and South, East and West, promoting stability. He outlined the country’s key objectives during its tenure, including resolving disputes through peaceful means, respecting international law, enhancing women’s roles in security and stability, protecting children in armed conflicts, addressing the climate crisis, and ensuring maritime safety.

Commenting on Turkey’s regional influence, Gerapetritis acknowledged, “Turkey is indeed an active actor due to its proximity to Syria and other countries in the Middle East.”

He added that Greece would work to prevent developments that could result in undesirable outcomes for the region and Greece itself. He underlined the importance of protecting the Greek minority in Syria, halting migration flows from Syria to Greece, and facilitating the voluntary return of Syrian refugees currently in Greece.

Turkey-Greece Relations and the Cyprus Issue

Gerapetritis noted the significant rapprochement in Turkey-Greece relations over the past 1.5 years, emphasizing the shared goal of enhancing cooperation for the prosperity and peace of both nations.

Reiterating the importance of the Cyprus issue for Greece’s foreign policy, Gerapetritis said, “From January 1, as we assume our seat on the UN Security Council, our goal is to keep the Cyprus issue actively on the UN agenda.”

He voiced support for the efforts of the Greek Cypriot administration and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres regarding the Cyprus issue, adding, “In a world marked by divisions, a united European Cyprus would be a powerful symbol of prosperity for its citizens and an example for the world.”