Greek Foreign Minister Giorgios Gerapetritis has urged the U.S. and Europe to closely monitor Syria’s Islamist regime, particularly in light of recent violence that left hundreds dead. He emphasized the need for governance that includes religious minorities and warned that lifting sanctions should be gradual and reversible. Furthermore, Gerapetritis raised concerns about Turkey’s maritime claims while highlighting Greece’s strengthening ties with India as a counterbalance to Chinese influence.
The recent violence in Syria, which resulted in hundreds of deaths, has prompted Greek Foreign Minister Giorgios Gerapetritis to caution the United States and Europe to closely monitor the Islamist regime in Syria. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that religious minorities, particularly Orthodox Christians, are included in the governance of the country to guarantee their rights while maintaining sanctions if necessary. Gerapetritis asserted, “The release of sanctions should take place mostly on a gradual basis.”
He highlighted the dire humanitarian situation arising from recent clashes between the ruling factions and supporters of ousted leader Bashar al-Assad. According to reports from various monitoring organizations, the death toll has reached alarming figures, with estimates indicating over 1,000 fatalities, including numerous civilians. “We are receiving extremely disturbing reports of entire families, including women, children and hors de combat fighters, being killed,” U.N. human rights commissioner Volker Türk stated, calling for an immediate cessation of violence.
In response to these challenges, Syria’s transitional president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, urged for national unity. He emphasized the necessity of maintaining peace and unity among diverse communities in the country. Amidst this turmoil, Russia and the United States initiated a private meeting of the U.N. Security Council to address the ongoing crisis.
Gerapetritis also raised concerns regarding Turkey’s Blue Homeland Doctrine, which threatens Greek maritime interests in the eastern Mediterranean due to extensive claims over maritime zones, particularly in areas with rich natural gas deposits. He underscored Greece’s commitment to international maritime law and the importance of limiting maritime zones to avoid escalating tensions between Greece and Turkey.
Further, the Greek Foreign Minister lauded Greece’s expanding ties with India, framing it within the context of creating a Middle East-Europe corridor that would counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative. He stated, “This major plan is, I think, an excellent project,” emphasizing the need for diversified transport and energy routes and expressing alignment with U.S. foreign and security policies.
In light of these developments, Gerapetritis stressed the imperative for collaboration and the establishment of alternative trade routes to mitigate dependency on China, particularly following its past financial interventions during Greece’s economic crisis. He affirmed, “It is our firm conviction that we need to develop alternative cooperation and alternative trade routes.”
The escalating violence in Syria necessitates vigilant oversight from the United States and Europe, particularly regarding the treatment of religious minorities under the Islamist regime. The Greek Foreign Minister’s calls for inclusivity in governance and gradual sanction releases reflect broader concerns over human rights abuses. Additionally, the geopolitical dynamics involving Turkey’s maritime claims and the growing partnership between Greece and India underline the need for strategic alliances to counter external influences, particularly from China. Overall, these factors underscore the importance of diplomatic interventions and proactive foreign policy measures in the region.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
