Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, hosted on 17 January Mr. Georgios Gerapetrisis, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, at the General Secretariat's headquarters in Cairo as part of his Arab tour.
Mr. Aboul Gheit underlined the League of Arab States' commitment to advancing cooperative relations with Greece based on the memorandum of understanding signed in 2021. He expressed deep concerns regarding the escalating tensions in the region on multiple fronts. Mr. Aboul Gheit emphasised the imperative to halt the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, which resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis. He stressed the urgency of delivering humanitarian and relief aid without obstacles to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe caused by Israel.
Mr. Aboul Gheit reiterated that the two-state solution remains fundamental for any future arrangements concerning the Palestinian people. They have the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state.
The Greek Foreign Minister conveyed his country's strong opposition to forced displacement and the targeting of civilians. He stressed the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and the initiation of efforts towards a sustainable political solution that ensures the rights of both Palestinians and Israelis to coexist peacefully. He also cautioned about the risk of the war expanding in the region if the crisis is not resolved.
Gamal Roshdy, the spokesman for the Secretary-General, outlined that the discussions between the two sides covered various Arab and international issues of mutual concern. The subjects included developments in Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Syria, and Lebanon, as well as escalating tensions in the Red Sea region and the Bab Al-Mandab Strait. Mr. Aboul Gheit underscored the necessity of averting potential threats to regional security and international navigation in sea lanes, emphasising the priority of this issue for both regional and international security and peace.
