Foreign ministry Announcement - Wednesday:
On 31 May 2010, Israeli military forces intercepted a flotilla that was attempting to break the Gaza blockade, with the well-known, tragic consequences. In view of the new attempt to break the Gaza naval blockade, the UN Secretary General expressed his conviction that humanitarian aid for Gaza should be supplied through official channels and asked the member states of the UN – and particularly those with access to the Mediterranean – to discourage such operations, which run the risk of escalating the violence.
Greece’s positions on the need to lift the Gaza blockade and improve the humanitarian situation in the region are well known. Equally well known is Greece’s position of principle on the need to respect international law and avoid the use of violence. We have made these positions clear to all the interested parties.
The Foreign Ministry – bearing in mind the UN Secretary General’s request, the Israeli government’s stated intention not to allow vessels to approach the Gaza coast and the immediate danger to human life entailed in participation in the operation in question, particularly in light of last year’s events – urges Greek citizens as well as Greek-registered vessels not to participate in the new flotilla headed for the Gaza port.
The government is responsible for planning and exercising the country’s foreign policy, based on the promotion of Greece’s interests. In this critical state of affairs, everyone needs to show similar responsibility or take full responsibility for their actions.
The planned operation does not deal with the substance of the humanitarian problem in Gaza. In the past, Greece and Cyprus have made specific proposals in the direction of meeting the humanitarian needs of Gaza residents. The potential for implementing these proposals was also discussed at the recent meeting of the two countries’ Foreign Ministers in Nicosia. The ultimate objective remains the full lifting of the Gaza blockade.
Greece actively supports the reopening of the peace talks as the only path to a comprehensive and viable solution on the Palestinian problem.
