NNA - Athens, Wednesday April 10, 2024 - "For joint efforts with a country that seeks and supports stability such as Lebanon, in order to effectively respond to the consequences of the humanitarian and general crisis caused by the war situation in Gaza, as well as for the fundamental unity required to achieve this," spoke the First Vice-President of the Parliament, Mr. Ioannis Plakiotakis during his meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lebanon, Mr. Abdallah Bou Habib, today in the Parliament.  

Mr. Plakiotakis pointed out that our country attaches particular importance to the protection of civilians and preventing the extension of conflicts and emphasized that from the first moment it contributed practically by providing humanitarian aid and contributed to the creation of a maritime humanitarian corridor. In addition, he referred to the particularly encouraging resolution of the UNSC 2728/2024 for a cease-fire as well as the solidarity attitude of Greece towards the extremely serious migration problem, as Lebanon gathers in proportion to the population the highest recorded concentration of refugees on its territory internationally.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lebanon pointed out that the only solution to bring balance and peace between the conflicting parties is the full implementation of UNSC resolution 1701 / 2006 by Israel, so that the thousands of displaced Lebanese and Israelis can return to their homes and of course the creation of two states supported by Greece. Also, the Minister of Lebanon expressed the need for as close cooperation as possible with countries such as Greece and Cyprus to resolve the crisis plaguing the Middle East and they can work together, so that the EU can also help populations that leave their country, as is the case with Syria, which he considers a safe country. Finally, he underlined that the Greek Orthodox community of Lebanon remains receptive to approaches from the Orthodox and it would be good if they were strengthened by Greece alongside the support of corresponding schools in Lebanon.

The meeting was attended on behalf of the Minister by the Director in addition to the Minister Mr. Walid HAIDAR, the Chargé d'Affaires of the Lebanese Embassy in Greece Mr. Ghady G. EL KHOURY and the Counselor of the Lebanese Embassy in Greece Mrs. Rania ABDALLAH, while the Ambassador of of Greece in Lebanon, Mr. D. Koukoulopoulou.       

------ Press & Parliamentary Information Office - Athens

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