Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis is set to visit Syria, Israel, and the West Bank in a bid to strengthen Greece’s diplomatic ties in the Middle East.
Gerapetritis will first travel to Damascus to meet Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani, marking a significant step in Greece’s engagement with Syria.
The visit comes as several European countries and the European Union have recently resumed diplomatic relations with Syria’s new government.
During the visit, Gerapetritis is expected to discuss key issues, including maritime boundary disputes between Syria and Turkey, which have implications for Cyprus.
He is also likely to raise concerns about the protection of Christians in Syria, an issue closely aligned with Greece’s relationship with the Patriarchate of Antioch and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Following his stop in Syria, Gerapetritis will travel to Jerusalem to meet with Israeli officials. He will then head to Ramallah to meet with Palestinian Authority representatives.
A visit to Jordan is also planned, where Gerapetritis will focus on humanitarian and regional stability issues, particularly concerning Gaza and Syria.
The diplomatic tour underscores Greece’s commitment to expanding its influence and strengthening its ties with key Middle Eastern countries.