FM Gerapetritis in Jordan: We must do all that is possible to deescalate tension in Middle East

It is important that all that is possible is done to deescalate tension in the Middle East, Greek Foreign Affairs Minister George Gerapetritis said on Monday, in joint statements with Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi.

The joint press conference came after the two men and their countries' delegations met.

"Being a member of the EU and an interlocutor of all sides, Greece is willing to offer good offices to assist in mitigating the effects of the war, deescalating tension, and avoiding regional flare-ups," Gerapetritis said.

Gerapetritis said that Greece and Jordan share the same vision, living in a safe and peaceful region without wars, clashes and conflicts, and a prerequisite of that is to find a viable solution to the Palestinian issue. "Greece has long and consistently supported the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, which will coexist peacefully with Israel, within internationally recognized borders, based on the pre-1967 borderline, and with East Jerusalem as its capital," he underlined.

The Greek FM also noted that Greece is strongly concerned about the situation in the Middle East and "implements a consistent foreign policy based on fundamental principles of International Law, and has condemned every form of terrorism from the very start."

The country also supports opening more humanitarian corridors for free passage of aid to Gaza residents, and condemned the further displacement of the population as "unacceptable", he said.

"Greece believes that it is time to start a serious discussion regarding the day after, so that a political perspective for peace in the region can be opened up. We believe that the role of the Palestinian Authority in this perspective will be essential and must be supported, since it is our only credible interlocutor from the Palestinian side," the Greek FM said.

Safadi

Jordan is consistently in support of averting aggression and for humanitarian aid to Gaza, Jordanian FM Safadi said. "It is time for the international community to assume its responsibilities and stop the war," he underlined, adding that Palestinians have a right to an independent and sovereign state.

"We are working with Greece, Cyprus, and the European Union to avert the repercussions of this catastrophe," he said.

Gerapetritis is scheduled to be received by King Abdullah II of Jordan on Tuesday. Affter his meeting with the Jordanian monarch, he will leave for Cairo. On Wednesday, he will meet with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry and later be received by Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.