Greece’s permanent representative to the United Nations on Wednesday emphasized the importance of what he called a smooth and fully inclusive political transition for Syria.
In addressing the UN Security Council, of which Greece is a non-permanent member for the next two years, Amb. Evangelos Sekeris said Greece welcomed the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, something that Athens recognizes as a defining moment for Syria and the entire region.
“Greece welcomes the fall of Assad’s authoritarian regime in Syria in what constitutes a watershed moment for the country and the region. However, the situation on the ground is fluid, and it comes both with opportunities and risks. Hopefully in the wake of this momentous development, Syrians deserve peace. A peace that must and only can be assured through an orderly and fully inclusive political transition, towards a legitimate, representative and non-sectarian government, based on democratic legitimacy, in the spirit of the UN Security Council Resolution 2254.”
The Greek envoy also said that Athens supports the unity, independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria, while again reiterating the Greek side’s sensitivity over the fate and well-being of Christians and all religious and ethnic minorities in the strife-battered country.
“Greece also attaches great importance to guaranteeing the security and the prosperity of the historic Greek Orthodox community in Syria, which also includes Greek citizens. Syria must demonstrate significant and tangible evidence of their willingness to work towards a smooth transition of power, to build state institutions in line with the principle of inclusiveness and to respect international humanitarian law,” he said.
