Thank you, my dear Nikos, for the excellent hospitality here in beautiful Paphos, at the 11th MED-9 Summit.
I would also like to thank you for the lucid and excellent way in which you summarised the conclusions of our joint consultations, which are also reflected in the coherent declaration, which refers to all the issues we discussed.
Very briefly and without repeating what has been said, I too would like to express my pleasure regarding the participation of the King of Jordan in this meeting – Jordan, a country that provides stability in the wider Middle East region, which needs more European support – and to reiterate the great importance that we all attach to the conclusion of a strategic cooperation agreement between the European Union and Jordan.
Now, with regard to the latest developments in the Middle East, it is sad, possibly tragic, that we are here in Cyprus, the EU member state that is closest to the crisis, which unfortunately is escalating in the Middle East. An escalation which is currently, unfortunately, also testing the Lebanese people.
Let me add my voice to the call for an immediate ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza, where unfortunately the humanitarian disaster has reached nightmarish proportions.
Greece has from the very first moment condemned Iran’s attacks against Israel as they contribute to the dangerous escalation of tension and increase the risks to regional stability.
On the other hand, however, we are also calling right now for restraint, so that southern Lebanon does not turn into a new Gaza. It will be a major new humanitarian tragedy, which the wider region cannot bear.
We have discussed, in quite some detail, issues that have to do with European competitiveness, but also issues that have to do with migration.
We also recognised the fact that all Mediterranean countries are, unfortunately, on the front line of the climate crisis, therefore our coordination to address these phenomena is even more imperative.
Finally, we had the opportunity to take a broader overview of regional developments.
I, in turn, would like to express my satisfaction, dear Nikos, because the Cyprus issue, fifty years after the invasion and occupation of more than a third of Cyprus by Turkish forces, has found its place in our declaration.
I, in turn, would like to welcome the informal trilateral meeting under the Secretary General of the United Nations and express my expectation that this meeting will lead to the resumption of negotiations, aiming at a solution based on the Security Council resolutions, International Law and the European acquis.
You know well, my dear Nikos, that Greece will always support your efforts, finally, 50 years after the Turkish invasion, so that we can achieve this much desired solution.
So let me thank you again, my dear Nikos, for the hospitality and for the very substantial discussion we had and to reiterate my conviction that this group of Mediterranean States still has a lot to offer, especially now that we have a Commissioner from Croatia, who will deal exclusively with Mediterranean issues.
