Greek Foreign Minister Giorgios Gerapetritis has urged the U.S. and Europe to closely monitor Syria’s Islamist regime amid rising violence. He stressed the importance of including religious minorities in governance and cautioned against lifting sanctions without careful consideration. Gerapetritis also expressed concerns over Turkey’s maritime claims and highlighted Greece’s strategic relationships as counterweights to Chinese influence.
During a recent discussion regarding the situation in Syria, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgios Gerapetritis emphasized the necessity for Europe and the United States to maintain vigilance over the ruling Islamist group in the country. His comments come in light of escalating violence that has resulted in hundreds of deaths over a weekend. He urged the international community to ensure the inclusion of religious and ethnic minorities in governance to avoid future sanctions.
Gerapetritis highlighted that the Orthodox Christian population in Syria warrants attention and insisted that the lifting of sanctions should be gradual, contingent upon the regime’s adherence to international law. He expressed that any relaxation of these sanctions should remain reversible. The ongoing internal strife, marked by confrontations between the new governing force and supporters of ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, led to significant civilian casualties, with estimates of fatalities varying widely.
The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported over 1,000 deaths, predominantly civilians. Compounding the tragedy, U.N. officials have noted disturbing reports of families being annihilated amidst the clashes. The transitional president of Syria recognized the unrest as part of “expected challenges” facing the regime, emphasizing the importance of national unity and peace.
Responses from the international community include Russia and the U.S. calling for a private meeting of the U.N. Security Council to address the violence in Syria. Domestically, the ruling group, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, which distanced itself from its al-Qaeda roots, is striving to reform its image and avoid being labeled a terrorist organization.
In addition to concerns over Syria, Gerapetritis articulated worries over Turkey’s Blue Homeland Doctrine, which allegedly infringes upon Greece’s maritime territories in the Eastern Mediterranean. He indicated progress in Greece-Turkey relations and pointed out the need for clarity regarding maritime zone limitations.
The Minister reinforced Greece’s position as a stabilizing force in the region while outlining the country’s burgeoning relationship with India. He believes that Greece can serve as a vital link in India’s efforts to establish a Middle East-Europe corridor as a countermeasure to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Gerapetritis firmly stated the necessity of developing alternative trade routes to lessen reliance on China, following Greece’s previous financial dependence during its debt crisis.
The current situation in Syria underscores the urgent need for international oversight as violence escalates under the new Islamist regime. Minister Gerapetritis calls for the inclusion of minorities in governance and warns against lifting sanctions too hastily. Additionally, he raises important concerns regarding Turkey’s maritime claims and advocates for Greece’s strengthening ties with other nations, particularly India, to promote alternative trade routes and global stability.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
