In his address to the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized Greece’s commitment to the principles of dialogue, diplomacy, and democracy, as the country prepares to assume a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2025–2026 term.
The prime minister emphasized the need to push forward with reform of the Council, referred to improved relations with neighboring Turkey, reiterated Greece’s support for Ukraine, upheld Israel’s right to self-defense, but at the same time called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Furthermore, he reaffirmed Athens’ commitment to resolving the Cyprus issue through a bizonal, bicommunal federation.
Greece's Participation in the Security Council
«In the Security Council, Greece will make every effort to act as a stabilizing force. This work begins immediately, right in our immediate neighborhood. Moreover, as a gateway to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, Greece is 900 miles away from both Gaza and Ukraine,» Mr. Mitsotakis noted.
Greek-Turkish relations
«Over the past year, I have met with President (of Turkey, Recep Tayyip) Erdoğan six times, including our recent meeting on the sidelines of this General Assembly two days ago. Last December, we signed the Athens Declaration, a document that sets out our intention to resolve our differences in accordance with the principles of international law and in the spirit of good-neighborly relations.
»We will continue to explore ways to improve bilateral relations with Turkey. There is potential for further cooperation in addressing common challenges, such as climate change and migration. We are keeping channels of communication open in order to defuse any tensions that may arise.”.
»Greece is willing to work toward resolving the only significant outstanding issue with its neighbor: the delimitation of the continental shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zone in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean. We have been unable to resolve this dispute for more than 40 years, but that does not mean it is destined to remain unresolved.”.
»I was pleased to hear President Erdoğan say that the delimitation of maritime zones in accordance with international law is in the common interest of the entire Eastern Mediterranean region,» the prime minister emphasized.
Middle East
«The ongoing violence in the Middle East is particularly serious, and the horrific suffering of civilians in Gaza unfortunately continues. The escalation threatens to trigger a full-scale war in the region.
»Greece calls on all parties, including Iran and those under its influence, to refrain from perpetuating the current destructive cycle of violence, to reduce tensions, and to engage constructively in the pursuit of meaningful de-escalation.”.
»A full-scale war in southern Lebanon must be avoided at all costs. People on both sides of the border have the right to live in peace without the threat of rockets or bombs destroying their lives. Greece fully supports the proposal for an immediate 21-day ceasefire.
»In the wake of the attacks on October 7, Greece has always supported and will continue to support Israel’s legitimate right to self-defense, but the way in which it exercises that right matters. We must see the immediate return of all remaining hostages.”.
»There must be an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. No matter how distant or impossible it may seem today, Israelis and Palestinians must be given the opportunity to live side by side in peace and security. »And the only way forward is to make the two-state solution a reality,” the prime minister noted.
Cyprus
«As Prime Minister of Greece, I reaffirm here today our commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus and to a solution based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, with a single sovereignty, one citizenship, and one international legal personality, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
»The two-state solution cannot and will not be accepted. Quite simply, it is not a solution. The president (of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos) Christodoulides delivered an emotionally charged and sincere speech yesterday from this podium, recalling the violence and trauma of the invasion of Cyprus 50 years ago.
»He also expressed his unwavering commitment to dialogue in order to find a solution. I have complete confidence in this commitment. He is right to argue that international law cannot be applied à la carte and that history cannot be rewritten or erased.
»Greece fully supports the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to resume negotiations in this context. We call on Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot community to come to the negotiating table, at the very least to build mutual trust and engage in frank discussions aimed at achieving a mutually acceptable, fair, and sustainable solution,» the prime minister emphasized.
Western Balkans
«There has been progress, but it has not been enough. Twenty-one years after the Thessaloniki Agenda, significant challenges remain. Let me be very frank: the countries of the Western Balkans must make a definitive decision to leave behind the traumatic legacy of the past.
»The resurgence of nationalist narratives and aspirations has no place today in a region that is on the verge of joining the EU.".
»Let's start with the basics: international agreements must be respected and fully implemented in good faith, whether we’re talking about Dayton, Prespa, or the Belgrade-Pristina agreements,» insisted Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
War in Ukraine
«Since February 2022, Russia has brought violence, misery, and destruction back to the European continent. We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people as they fight for their freedom and independence, as well as for their country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Respect for the territorial integrity of all states is a fundamental pillar of international law and the cornerstone of the UN Charter.
»In June, at the Summit for Peace in Ukraine, Greece joined many other UN member states in calling for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, with full respect for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders,» the prime minister said.
Artificial Intelligence
«Let me conclude by briefly addressing two critical issues for our shared future: the advent of artificial intelligence and the negative effects of digital technology, particularly on our children and teenagers.”.
»The power of artificial intelligence seems limitless. It is a technology with the potential to change our world in ways that will likely surpass even the advent of the personal computer, the introduction of cell phones, or the birth of the World Wide Web. However, artificial intelligence also has the potential to cause immense harm.
»Technology companies must come to the negotiating table and demonstrate that they will take concrete and measurable actions to prioritize safety over profits. If they fail to do so, realistic solutions such as banning devices in our schools—a ban that Greece has implemented starting this year—will be supplemented by tougher regulatory responses.”.
»Digital technology is no different from any other industry that must operate in accordance with health and safety regulations. The general principle—the golden rule—is one and the same: do no harm,» he pointed out.
