PM Mitsotakis at EU Summit: Israel's security issue can only be resolved by a political solution

This common ground "recognizes Israel's right to self-defense within the limits set by International Law, but it also expresses its deep concern for the humanitarian situation prevailing in Gaza today", elaborated Mitsotakis.

Moreover, he said, "the decision for a ceasefire for humanitarian needs conveys the message that Israel should seriously consider the situation in Gaza and allow humanitarian aid to enter."

What has become "totally clear since the tragic invasion of Israel by the terrorist Hamas, is that Israel's security problem will not be addressed in security terms alone," but a political solution and "the only definitive political resolution can be a two-state solution, allowing the citizens of Israel and the Palestinians to live in peace, each in their own state," Mitsotakis underlined. He added that the two-state solution has re-entered EU's foreign policy agenda.

Asked by Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA) about Türkiye's position on this crisis and whether it could affect Greek-Turkish relations, Mitsotakis reiterated that Hamas is a terrorist organization that does not express the Palestinian people. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan "is entirely out of touch when he does not recognize this reality." Beyond this, however, he added, "the fact that Greece and Türkiye disagree on this should not affect the framework of the Greek-Turkish dialogue and the positive steps taken in the last few months."

Greece remains focused on its positive agenda and the timeframe that has been defined clearly by the Greek Foreign Affairs Ministry, with the Greece-Türkiye Supreme Cooperation Council meeting on December 7 in mind.

Concerning talks about the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, Mitsotakis noted that some countries do not want to consider raising the budget other than to allocate aid to Ukraine. Greece, he said, "will not agree on a solution that includes nothing but Ukraine." The EU understands Greece needs more funding for the migration issue and the management of the issue as a country, Mitsotakis said, but it also needs more funding for natural disasters.

Finally, the Greek premier mentioned his official visit next Friday to Beijing, where he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Chinese counterpart.