Full-scale war in southern Lebanon should be avoided 'at all costs,' emphasizes Greek premier

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - Full-scale war in Lebanon should be avoided "at all costs," underlined Greek premier on Thursday night.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Mitsotakis said, “A full-scale war in southern Lebanon must be avoided at all costs. People on both sides of the border have a right to live peacefully, free from the threat of rockets or bombs disrupting their lives. Greece fully supports the proposal for an immediate 21-day ceasefire.”

He urged all parties, including Iran and those it influences, to step back from perpetuating the current cycle of violence, lower tensions, and engage constructively in meaningful de-escalation.

Mitsotakis affirmed Greece's support for Israel's right to self-defense and called for the immediate release of all Israeli hostages. He also advocated for a ceasefire in Gaza, stating, “The humanitarian catastrophe there cannot continue. Safe access to food, water, shelter, clothing, and medicines must be ensured, and international humanitarian law must be respected.”

He emphasized that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is crucial for lasting peace and stability in the region. “This is essential for peace, stability, and security in the region, including the long-term security of Israel,” he said.

- Relations with Türkiye

Regarding relations with Türkiye, Mitsotakis noted a thaw in bilateral relations since February 2023. "We will continue to explore how to improve bilateral relations with Türkiye. There is potential for increased cooperation to tackle common challenges, such as climate change and migration. We continue to keep channels of communication open to diffuse any tension that may arise," he stated.

He said that the delimitation of maritime borders in the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea remains the primary issue between the two countries. "We have not been able to effectively address this difference for more than 40 years, but this does not mean that it is destined to remain unresolved," he remarked.

“I strongly believe we have a window of opportunity today, and we should be bold and wise enough to seize this chance,” he remarked.

- Reform of the UN

Mitsotakis underscored the urgent need for reforming the UN Security Council, stating, “I believe we all agree that it is essential to increase the meaningful participation of underrepresented nations. Nearly a third of UN member states have never sat on the Security Council.”

He pointed out that the Security Council does not reflect the realities and needs of today’s global order."The enlargement of the Security Council must include both non-permanent and permanent members. New permanent members must include leading countries from all continents. The composition of the Security Council should reflect the geopolitical and economic realities of the third decade of the 21st century, not the fifth decade of the 20th," he concluded.