Briefing of diplomatic correspondents by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lana Zochiou (Athens, 31.03.2026)

L. ZOCHIOU: Good morning, everyone.

We will begin with a statement on developments in Iran and the Middle East.

Developments in Iran and the Middle East threaten regional and global security. We call on all parties to immediately de-escalate, exercise the utmost possible restraint, protect civilians, and fully respect International Law, including the principles of the United Nations Charter and international humanitarian law.

We express our solidarity with the Gulf countries.

Freedom of navigation and maritime security must be protected. A safe maritime space promotes global political stability, economic stability, sustainable development, and the well-being of all peoples.

We call for the reactivation of credible channels of dialogue and for the return to negotiations.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritis, contacted his Iranian counterpart, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, in his capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs and in Greece's capacity as a member of the United Nations Security Council. The discussion focused on developments in the wider Middle East. The Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out that Greece is in favor of diplomacy to reach a sustainable solution, of full respect for International Law, and of safeguarding freedom of navigation.

Regarding Lebanon,

Lebanon has become a parallel war front, the most tangible example of the conflict in the Middle East spilling over.

We express our concern regarding the escalation of hostilities in Lebanon and its serious impact on civilians, including loss of life and large-scale displacement. We call for immediate de-escalation, the protection of civilians, and respect for International Law, including international humanitarian law.

Greece stands by Lebanon and fully supports its sovereignty and its territorial integrity. We reiterate our call on all parties to respect and fully implement the terms of the ceasefire agreement of November 27, 2024, and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.

We express our support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which plays an essential stabilizing role. UNIFIL personnel and peacekeepers in general should never be the target of attacks.

We express our condolences to the families of the victims, and to the people and Government of Indonesia.

Regarding Syria,

We are following with particular concern the situation in Al-Suqaylabiyah, a city with a predominantly Greek Orthodox population. We take note of the Syrian government's announcement regarding the investigation of the recent incidents of violence in the city. Further information, clarity, and, of course, accountability are needed.

We support the need for an inclusive political transition and for the protection of all Syrians, including women, without discrimination on the basis of religious or ethnic origin, as a prerequisite for stability and recovery. Syria's wealth lies in the diversity and pluralism of its society, and Christians are a historical and integral part of the multicultural Syrian society.

Greece stands by Syria and offers support, both bilaterally and in its capacity as a member of the European Union and the United Nations Security Council.

Greece recognizes the progress achieved, but we do not overlook the challenges. We expect the assurances that the Syrian Government has provided, will be honoured.

Regarding the Holy Light and its transfer to Greece,

We all understand that any possibilities cannot be made public for security reasons, given that the operation is expected to take place amid an ongoing war.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs is in contact with his Israeli counterpart, and we remain in contact with all competent authorities.

The Greek State will exhaust every possibility for the safe transfer of the Holy Light to Greece.

We emphasize once again that the status quo of the Holy Sites of Jerusalem, including the status quo of the Church of the Resurrection, must be absolutely respected by all and under any circumstances. Greece expresses its solidarity and unwavering support for the Christian Churches in Jerusalem.

Regarding the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Benghazi,

The visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Tripoli, which had been announced for tomorrow, April 1, has been postponed due to extreme weather conditions, in light of the relevant meteorological forecast.

During his visit to Benghazi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritis, held meetings with the Commander of the Libyan National Army, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, and the Chief of Staff of the Libyan National Army, General Khaled Khalifa Haftar. He also met with the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Committee of the House of Representatives and the Chairman of Libya's Asset Recovery Committee, Yousef Alagouri.

The purpose of the visit was, further, to develop the functional relationship between Athens and Benghazi and to capitalize on the positive momentum generated, mainly since last July, following the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Benghazi.

About the political process, the Minister reiterated Greece's position, as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, of readiness to contribute to its advancement. We look forward to the national reconciliation of Libyans. We support the holding of free and democratic elections as the only viable path towards a solution to the Libyan issue, without foreign interference.

During the visit to Benghazi, strengthening cooperation on migration was agreed, to reduce irregular migration flows. The Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated our country's readiness further to strengthen operational cooperation with the Authorities of eastern Libya.

Boosting the presence of Greek businesses and investments in eastern Libya was also agreed, following the agreements signed during the business mission led by Deputy Foreign Minister Theoharis in Benghazi (13-14 January 2026).

The role of Greece and its contribution to the European Union and the United Nations Security Council were highlighted. In this vein, Greece's substantial assistance regarding the issue of Libyan frozen assets was underlined. In fact, it was an issue that the Minister discussed with the Chairman of the Libyan Asset Recovery Committee, Yousef Alagouri, who participated in a Libyan delegation that visited Athens last January.

Regarding maritime zones, the delimitation with Libya is a priority for Greece. It was agreed that Greece and Libya, as states with opposite coasts, are ready to discuss the delimitation of their respective Exclusive Economic Zones.

I will proceed with the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Berlin,

On 17 March, the Minister of Foreign Affairs visited Berlin, where he met with his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul. The meeting confirmed the very satisfactory level of bilateral relations. It explored the potential to further deepen them in several areas, following the 7^th Round of Consultations between Greece and Germany in Berlin last November.

They also discussed issues related to regional developments, the Middle East and Ukraine, the future of the European Union, about enlargement and its strategic autonomy, as well as cooperation between the two countries within the framework of NATO.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is expected to pay a reciprocal visit to Greece in the near future.

Regarding the Foreign Minister's schedule,

On April 2, the Foreign Minister will welcome the Foreign Minister of Singapore, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, in Athens.

On April 15, the Foreign Minister will travel to Berlin, where a Ministerial Conference on Sudan will take place.

We will conclude with an announcement regarding the renewal of the temporary scheme for the issuance of short-stay tourist visas to Turkish nationals and their family members at points of entry on selected islandsin the Eastern Aegean.

Following coordinated action by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Commission, the renewal for an additional year, from 31 March 2026 onwards, of the temporary scheme for the issuance of short-stay tourist visas to Turkish nationals and their family members at points of entry on selected islands in the Eastern Aegean was approved.

The Commission welcomed the successful outcome of the scheme during its two-year implementation period, as well as its positive contribution to people-to-people contacts.

The scheme concerns the islands of Kalymnos, Kastelorizo, Kos, Leros, Lesvos, Limnos, Patmos, Rhodes, Samothrace, Samos, Symi, and Chios, a total of 12 Greek islands.

The visa will be valid for up to 7 days and will be issued at legally established points of entry.

This concludes the introductory remarks. I am at your disposal.

TH. BALODIMAS: In the spirit of the statement that you read to us at the beginning, regarding Iran and the wider region, I would like to ask a question. The Minister of National Defence is traveling to the Emirates today for meetings with the country's officials. Has there been any prior coordination with your Ministry or with the Prime Minister's Office, to your knowledge, on how this solidarity with the Gulf countries could be expressed concretely and how freedom of navigation could be ensured?

L. ZOCHIOU: What is your question? Has there been any coordination?

TH. BALODIMAS: And whether he is going there to submit some proposals to be put into action.

L. ZOCHIOU: Perhaps, Mr. Balodimas, you should address the question to the competent Ministry. I do not represent the Ministry of National Defence.

TH. BALODIMAS: Yes, but it is as if you are telling us that he is traveling without any prior coordination.

L. ZOCHIOU: I did not say anything of the kind. I did not refer to the visit per se. But I have nothing to say on the issue.

TH. BALODIMAS: I just assumed that there was some coordination.

L. ZOCHIOU: I do not exclude that there is. It is possible that I am not aware of it at the moment.

M. NIKOLAIDOU: Good evening. Nikolaidou Myrna from "Estia''. I want to ask, is there no reaction to the serious incident with the Turkish coast guard vessel that harassed Greek trawlers in Farmakonisi. It entered Greek territorial waters, the issue has been raised, it has been broadcast, I think STAR TV was the first channel…

L. ZOCHIOU: I cannot hear you well, I am sorry.

M. NIKOLAIDOU: Regarding the incident involving the harassment of Greek fishermen by a Turkish coast guard vessel in Farmakonisi, there is no Greek reaction. The incident is very serious. The Turks entered Greek territorial waters and have been continuously escalating tensions recently. However, there has been no reaction from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

L. ZOCHIOU: It is not customary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to react publicly to such issues. We are taking the necessary steps and raising the issue with both the Turkish side and our European partners.

M. NIKOLAIDOU: But there has been no reaction so far...

L. ZOCHIOU: I have responded. Thank you very much.

S. NIKOLAIDIS: Hello, good afternoon, Madam Spokesperson. Nikolaidis Stefanos from skai.gr. Regarding the Minister's visit to Benghazi and his meeting with Field Marshal Haftar, you told us in your introductory statement that the delimitation of maritime zones with Libya is a priority - and this was expressed by both the Libyan side, the Benghazi side, and the Greek side -. Of course, you are well aware that there is the Turkish-Libyan memorandum, which is null and void, it is illegal, as you have repeatedly pointed out. I want to ask whether Field Marshal Haftar expressed any willingness, any intention, a common willingness, a common goal to overcome this obstacle? Because Tripoli, as you are aware, will hardly enter into a special agreement to refer the matter to an international court. Therefore, did the Field Marshal express any commitment to overcoming this obstacle and staying on the opposite coasts? Thank you.

L. ZOCHIOU: Let's start from the beginning. The Minister stated, during his meeting with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, that there should be no fait accompli. He reiterated, of course, the Greek positions regarding the null and void Turkish-Libyan memorandum, which circumvents International Law and therefore, does not produce legal results.

As for the talks, the technical talks with Tripoli have commenced; the first meeting was held here in Athens, where their launch was announced. The next one will take place in Tripoli, and the schedule will be set during the Minister's visit to Tripoli. The basis of the negotiations is the International Law of the Sea, and this has been agreed upon by both sides.

CH. MAKRI: On the same subject, you said that it was agreed to commence the talks. In what way? Will there be a corresponding technical committee, as there is with Tripoli? Has such an agreement been reached?

L. ZOCHIOU: The readiness to discuss the delimitation was agreed upon. The way this will be done will, of course, be examined in the near future.

M. MOURELATOU: Maria Mourelatou, from "TA NEA''. I would like to ask, in relation to the Minister's second mission to Tripoli, which has been postponed due to weather conditions, whether we have a new date or if you will inform us immediately. Thank you.

L. ZOCHIOU: You will be informed about this. The diplomatic teams are considering a new date.

CH. KRATSI: Christina Kratsi, from "ALPHA''. I want to ask the following. Since Tripoli insists on the Turkish-Libyan memorandum, as far as we know, no other statement has been made, and Greece considers this to be unfounded, on what basis will the two delegations speak? That is, on what basis will they engage in talks, since one side considers that there is a fait accompli and the other considers that there is no fait accompli?

L. ZOCHIOU: I will repeat our own position, Ms. Kratsi, I will not speak on behalf of the Libyan side. Our position is the following: the basis on which we have agreed to hold the technical talks is the International Law of the Sea.

CH. KRATSI: Nevertheless, Türkiye also believes that it operates under the International Law of the Sea, but the views are very different. Anyway.

A. TELOPOULOS: Good morning from me too. Telopoulos, from "i-efimerida'' and "Efimerida ton Syntakton" newspaper. One question, regarding the Christian populations in the Middle East. Today there was a front-page article in "Kathimerini'' claiming that we have activated various channels, including with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, to exert pressure on the regime in Syria. Whether you confirm it, whether it is true, whether we are going to escalate this pressure on Syria, if we are not satisfied with the results of the investigation, I mean diplomatic pressure, or maybe through the Security Council. And a second question - so that I don't bother you later - because you said that there is contact between Mr. Gerapetritis and his Israeli counterpart. Beyond the Holy Light, has he raised our concern about Lebanon strongly and seriously?

L. ZOCHIOU: Regarding the Christian populations, I will stick to the announcement during the introduction.

Regarding the conversation the Minister of Foreign Affairs had with his Israeli counterpart in recent days, he addressed issues related to the situation in the Middle East on the ground. The Minister called for universal respect for International Law and persistently raised the issue of Lebanon's protection.

S. RISTOVSKA: I would like to ask you about the Western Balkans, Madam Spokesperson. The Minister of Foreign Affairs has spoken many times about some Greek initiatives, and last time he spoke about this - I believe it was in Brussels last month - he said that he informed his colleagues. Could you provide us with some more details? What exactly will they be, these initiatives? Thank you.

L. ZOCHIOU: The Minister of Foreign Affairs has spoken about this initiative concerning the Western Balkans, in view of the Greek Presidency in the second half of 2027. We strongly believe that the European Union must remain firmly committed to the accession process and to promoting the European perspective of the Western Balkans. Especially in a period of instability and, more generally, unrest, crises, and wars raging in our wider region. Greece, as you know, has been at the forefront since 2003 with the Thessaloniki agenda to promote the accession process. 23 years later, Greece wants to provide a vision to the peoples of the Western Balkans and believes that this process should maintain its momentum and, above all, its credibility.

Always with full respect for the accession criteria, the European acquis, International Law, the principles of democracy and the rule of law, and the principle of its own merits, Greece is prepared to take initiatives in this regard. The Minister of Foreign Affairs has informed his partners in the European Union about this. He also had an extensive discussion with his German counterpart, who expressed Germany's support on this issue. We will expect announcements on this in the near future.

N. STAMOULI: I wanted to ask about the Strait of Hormuz, whether we know how many Greek ships are there, if there are requests from Greek sailors for repatriation, because there were also various complaints from the sailors' unions that they are being made to sign certain documents, that they are passing through of their own free will just before entering the war zone. And whether there are any thoughts and pressures on Greece, as well as thoughts from the Greek government, to participate in some operation to protect the ships passing through there.

L. ZOCHIOU: Regarding the ships, according to the latest update I have from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, ten Greek ships remain in the Gulf. And [89] Greek sailors. I am not aware at this time, at least as far as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is concerned, of any request for repatriation. However, the information may need to be cross-checked with the competent Ministry of Maritime Affairs.

Regarding whether we are under any pressure to participate in the operations, let me clarify that Greece is not.

Greece is participating in the EUNAVFOR ASPIDES operation of the European Union, whose area of ​​operation is specific. Also, the operation's role is purely defensive, in accordance with International Law, and, as you are aware, it operates with a very limited participation. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, attending the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council, made Greece's position clear. In the same Council, it was established that there is neither the intention nor the possibility of expanding the mandate of this operation.

Furthermore, Greece intends to join the Joint Declaration of 33 or more states on the Strait of Hormuz. The declaration is still open. I want to clarify that the states co-signing it express their readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait.

I emphasize Greece's readiness to contribute to these efforts when peace is achieved. That is, after the end of hostilities.

D. ÖZCAN: The Israeli parliament has approved the death penalty for Palestinians. How do you comment on this? Thank you.

L. ZOCHIOU: I know that discussions are taking place within the framework of the European Union for the issuance of a relevant announcement. We await it.

[ Israel: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the approval of the Death Penalty Bill by the Israeli Parliament (31.03.2026)

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2026/03/31/israel-statement-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-european-union-on-the-approval-of-the-death-penalty-bill-by-the-israeli-parliament/ ]

K. ALATZAS: Is there any contact or request for defence assistance from the United Arab Emirates, given that there has been an agreement with the country in question for some years and from what was made public a few minutes ago, the Minister of National Defence is also traveling to the United Arab Emirates today? And I am referring to the agreement because, among other things, a defence assistance clause is provided for in this agreement. Thank you.

L. ZOCHIOU: There is no specific request within the framework of the Greece - United Arab Emirates agreement.

M. MOURELATOU: I will ask two questions. They are unrelated to each other. One is that yesterday I read in a Libyan media outlet that Dbeibah requested the acceleration of the procedures for the delimitation of maritime zones with Greece and Malta. Whether we know anything about this, whether we have any information. And the second is whether there is any development in relation to the 5 x 5 forum, whether the discussions are continuing on the Greek side, whether we have any new information, any update. Thank you.

L. ZOCHIOU: Regarding the 5 x 5, I have no update, and there is nothing to announce.

Regarding the issue of the delimitation of maritime zones with Tripoli, I stand by what we have said: the delimitation of maritime zones, the continental shelf, and the Exclusive Economic Zone is a priority for Greece as well, and we are working towards this. I assume that similar processes are taking place on their side as well.

M. NIKOLAIDOU: I would like to ask whether Greece is in consultation with Cyprus to raise the issue of Cyprus joining NATO at the upcoming Summit in Türkiye in July. Whether there is any contact between the two sides. Because the Cypriot side has now started to raise the issue publicly.

L. ZOCHIOU: The Republic of Cyprus is a sovereign state. Greece will support any of its requests regarding this issue.

N. PETANIDOU: There were some reports in Turkish media regarding the Greek islands and that Israel wants to buy them. At the same time, a Turkish journalist cited Greek diplomatic sources, which, of course, denied it. Do you have any comments? Because I don't know whether the Greek diplomatic sources were from the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs or from another source.

L. ZOCHIOU: This is categorically denied. It is utter nonsense.

March 31, 2026