President Sakellaropoulou: Greece will continue to promote its national interests

"In this turbulent and volatile international environment, Greece will continue to promote its national interests and to steadily promote its rights, deflecting all attempts at dangerous revisionism," she said.

"The horrific attack against Israel, the barbarism and cruelty that Hamas showed toward civilians, as well as the pounding of the Gaza Strip that inevitably leaves innocent victims in its wake are shocking. A new bloody cycle of violence has begun in the Middle East, provoking turmoil at a global level, and threatens to drag more countries into military conflict with tragic and unpredictable consequences for international peace," she said.

Sakellaropoulou also noted that Greece steadfastly supports Israel's right to self defence but always with respect for the rules of international humanitarian law and ensuring the protection of the civilians in Gaza Strip. She stressed the importance of opening up corridors for humanitarian aid to civilians trapped by the conflict and releasing the hostages and prisoners of war.

"Finally, we must all be united and determined in dealing with extremism and bigotry, the blind attacks against civilians and the multiplying incidents of antisemitism which, unfortunately, are on the rise in European cities," she added.

On Greek-Turkish relations, Sakellaropoulou noted that "over time our country seeks to have good neighbourly relations with Turkiye, remaining open to a dialogue based on international law and with no concessions as regards issues of national sovereignty and sovereign rights".