Athens: The Foreign Ministers of Greece and Syria have expressed a desire to enhance regional cooperation by establishing a trilateral format that includes the Republic of Cyprus. This initiative could see its first meeting at the Foreign Ministers’ level next September during the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Lana Zochiou, published on the Ministry’s website, Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis and Syrian Arab Republic’s interim Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Al-Shaibani confirmed their commitment to this regional cooperation during a meeting in Athens. The proposed trilateral format aims to facilitate collaboration among the three countries.
The meeting was highlighted as a significant opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations amid ongoing developments in the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean. Gerapetritis emphasized Greece’s support for Syria’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, urging the transitional Syrian administration to uphold commitments for inclusive governance without external interventions and ensuring no ethnic or religious community is excluded.
The Greek Foreign Minister also underscored the importance of adherence to International Law, particularly the International Law of the Sea, and the respect for the sovereign rights of neighboring states.