Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos participated today, Monday, 15 October 2012, in the proceedings of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg.The discussion focused in particular on the situation in Syria, the regional impact of the crisis, and the issue of humanitarian aid for internally displaced Syrian refugees. Mr. Avramopoulos underscored the urgent need to diminish tensions and promote a political solution that will allow the Syrian people to express themselves genuinely with regard to their future.
In the discussion of the Middle East peace process, Mr. Avramopoulos pointed up the importance of restarting the direct talks, noting that the ongoing lack of progress fuels disappointment, and that there is a need to ensure the viability of the two-state solution.
Within the framework of Greece’s efforts to strengthen Europe’s relations with the Arab world, the Foreign Minister presented a Greek proposal for enhancing institutional cooperation between the EU and the Arab League through regular political consultations and sectoral cooperation in joint committees.
The Council examined the issue of Iran’s nuclear programme and the prospects for the EU3+3 negotiations with Tehran, while also approving extended sanctions. Also discussed were the situation in Mali and developments in the Eastern neighbourhood countries, with the focus on the parliamentary elections carried out in Belarus and Georgia.