Greece's stance on developments in the Middle East were reiterated by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at doorstep statements ahead of the European Council Summit in Brussels on Thursday.
At the two-day Summit, EU leaders will discuss the unfolding situation in the Middle East, continued support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s war of aggression, the EU's long-term budget, the economy, migration and external relations.
Mitsotakis said that Greece's position is based on four main points: Israel's right to lawful self-defense, in agreement with the international humanitarian law; the humanitarian crisis at the Gaza Strip and the need to open an aid corridor, possibly adding a ceasefire; the EU's duty to ensure that the conflict does not get out of control to affect the entire Middle East; and Greece's steadfast commitment to the two-state solution to resolve the Palestinian issue.
He added that later in the day he will speak by phone with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to convey Greece's support of the two-state solution in the Middle East. "I will not tire of saying that Hamas is a terrorist organization and does not express the just rights of the Palestinian people," Mitsotakis stated.