Sharm el-Sheikh signals Greece’s growing role

[Reuters]

The invitation extended to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to be the Peace Summit successful Sharm el-Sheikh by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, is seen successful Athens arsenic designation of Greece’s increasing relation successful the Eastern Mediterranean.

Athens welcomed the ceasefire statement betwixt Israel and Hamas but remains cautious astir its implementation.

Officials stressed that the gradual withdrawal of the Israeli Defense Forces from Gaza and the merchandise of hostages correspond lone the archetypal steps successful a fragile process.

Unresolved tensions successful the West Bank, where Israeli settlements person expanded rapidly under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, proceed to rise concerns astir the deal’s semipermanent viability. Greek officials are monitoring the geopolitical implications, particularly Turkey’s inclusion among the 4 guarantor powers –alongside the US, Egypt and Qatar. While the determination marks a diplomatic success for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Athens and different capitals view Ankara’s broader ambitions with skepticism. Greece seeks an progressive relation successful Gaza’s reconstruction and has pledged to summation humanitarian aid. Greek operation firms whitethorn besides enactment successful rebuilding efforts.

The visit of Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin to Athens connected Tuesday, 1 time aft US President Donald Trump’s visit to the region, underscores Greece’s intent to support dialog with each sides. Before departing for Egypt, Mitsotakis met with President Konstantinos Tasoulas, emphasizing that Greece was “one of the fewer European countries invited” to the summit.

He described Greece arsenic “a pillar of stability successful the Eastern Mediterranean,” capable to prosecute “all cardinal players” successful the Middle East. Mitsotakis besides praised Trump’s persistence successful pursuing bid “from a antithetic perspective” and reiterated Greece’s long-standing presumption that “a two-state λύση is the lone viable way to peaceful coexistence.”