Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday highlighted Cyprus’ proximity to the Middle East during a meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Athens. The discussion comes just before the Defence Exhibition Athens, scheduled for Tuesday.
“Welcome to Athens. You are coming at a time of great turmoil, so we have a lot to discuss. We are, along with Cyprus, the country closest to what is happening in the Middle East,” Mitsotakis stated, underscoring the significance of the geographical location.
He expressed Greece’s strong interest in a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflicts in the region, particularly concerning the crucial Strait of Hormuz. “Greece certainly has a very strong interest in ensuring that this situation is resolved peacefully as soon as possible, especially with regard to maintaining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” he added.
This interest, Mitsotakis explained, stems not only from Greece’s position as a European nation but also as a major maritime country. He remarked, “We consider it imperative that no precedent be set, not only in the region but also globally,” before expressing eagerness to hear Wadephul’s views on future steps.
Highlighting Greece’s positive relationships with regional nations, Mitsotakis referred to the country as a “reliable bridge builder.” However, he acknowledged the current challenges, stating, “Of course, in order to get to the point where we start building bridges, we must first get past the point where we are blowing them up.” He reiterated that prioritising diplomacy is a mutual goal for both Greece and Germany.
Wadephul, for his part, recognised the importance of Greece’s upcoming term as the holder of the Council of the European Union’s rotating presidency in the latter half of next year. “We must intensify our efforts so that the European Union is able to address all the threats and challenges that we face,” he stated, emphasising the need for collaborative action.
Tuesday’s Defence Exhibition Athens is set to draw significant attention, with President Nikos Christodoulides also attending. He is expected to arrive directly from Monday’s European Political Community summit in Yerevan, where he engaged with other leaders on pressing issues. Christodoulides plans to meet with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and European Defence Commissioner Andreas Kubilius during his visit.
