Gerapetritis: We stand by the people of Armenia

Gerapetritis was replying to a question put by opposition "Niki" party deputy Tasos Economopoulos.

The MP called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs to inform the Parliament about Greece's practical support for the struggling people of Nagorno-Karabakh. As he noted, Azerbaijan's recent military operation on September 19 and 20 in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), grossly violating the Ceasefire Agreement of November 9, 2020, has resulted in tens of thousands of Armenians being displaced from their ancestral homes. The aforementioned unilateral actions of Azerbaijan constitute acts of ethnic cleansing and should therefore be met with a corresponding and decisive reaction by the international community, according to the deputy.

The foreign minister pointed out that relations between Greece and Armenia go beyond the formal friendly relations developed in the context of diplomacy, having deep roots in tradition and language. Greece was also one of the first countries to recognise both the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and the independence of Armenia, he added.

Concerning events in Nagorno-Karabakh, the ministry condemned this attack from the beginning, Gerapetritis underlined, while adding that he is also in constant open communication with the competent Minister of Foreign Affairs in order to coordinate actions and so the country can be provided with whatever assistance the latter deems necessary.