Greece will assume the presidency of the Security Council for the second time in October, at a time when the Council will be grappling with major international crises and the selection process for the new UN Secretary-General, said Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, noting that this will be decisive for the future of the Organization and for global challenges.
In reviewing his meetings on the fifth day of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly, Mr. Gerapetritis also referred to strengthening Greece’s diplomatic footprint.
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In a statement to ERT, he highlighted the trilateral meetings between Greece, Cyprus, and Jordan, and between Greece, Cyprus,and Egypt, as well as to contacts with foreign ministers from countries in the Global South, underscoring the importance of interregional cooperation. Specifically, he said that the trilateral meetings are extremely important for the presence of both Greece and Cyprus in the broader region, for strengthening relations, in a region that “is being rocked by wars in the broader Middle East, by unrest, and by armed conflicts.”
He then referred to the meetings he had with foreign ministers from countries of the Global South, including Brazil, India, and Eritrea, as well as regions such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America, adding that “the Global South is developing rapidly. It is very important for Greece to maintain constant contact. Interregional cooperation, especially today in the face of global challenges, is taking on particular significance.”
Referring to the initiative by Greece and India regarding Artificial Intelligence—and specifically the application of Artificial Intelligence to shipping— maritime safety, and the freedom of navigation, he stated that it is extremely important for progress to go hand in hand with social capital and to be placed at the service of humanity. “The challenges are immense. Greece has taken a significant initiative, which it will continue, so that artificial intelligence has limits, and those limits are defined by human progress,” he said.
He also referred to Greece’s participation in the founding meeting of the Group of Friends for the Security and Protection of Shipping and Seafarers, describing it as a very important initiative that has been undertaken. “Freedom of navigation is not only a central demand for Greece as a pioneer and leader in merchant shipping, but it is also a global demand. Because any crisis in shipping, any obstruction to freedom of navigation, poses a tremendous risk to the supply chain and, ultimately, to the well-being of peoples,” he added.
He also noted that Greece will assume the presidency of the United Nations Security Council in October for the second time during its two-year term. “This is an extremely important period. The major issues plaguing humanity will be addressed. Issues related to armed conflicts will be raised,” Mr. Gerapteritis noted.
He referred to the selection of the new Secretary-General of the United Nations, a decisive choice, as he put it, for the future of the Organization, but certainly also for regional relations and global challenges.
“Greece is at the center of diplomatic attention. We are building Greece with a strong diplomatic footprint, with strong alliances, and with a very broad, very intense, and very active foreign policy,” he concluded.
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Source: CNA
