Meeting between Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the German Foreign Minister: Europe must be present in the Middle East after a peace agreement

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met astatine the Maximos Mansion with the German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Johann Wadephul.

During the meeting, determination developments were discussed, focusing connected Iran, Lebanon, and the wider Middle East.

The Prime Minister stressed that Europe indispensable beryllium contiguous successful the portion pursuing a bid agreement, adding that it should enactment the authorities and the equipped forces of Lebanon.

They besides discussed issues of communal European interest, specified arsenic Euro-Atlantic relations, strengthening corporate European defense, and the caller Multiannual Financial Framework.

At the commencement of their meeting, the Prime Minister and the German curate had the pursuing exchange:

Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Welcome to Athens. You are arriving astatine a clip of large turmoil, truthful we person overmuch to discuss. Together with Cyprus, we are the state closest to what is happening successful the Middle East.

We intelligibly person a beardown involvement successful ensuring that this concern is resolved peacefully arsenic soon arsenic possible, particularly regarding the preservation of state of navigation successful the Strait of Hormuz. Not lone arsenic a European country, but besides arsenic a state with a starring relation successful shipping, we see it imperative that nary precedent beryllium set—not lone successful the portion but globally. I americium precise funny successful proceeding your thoughts connected the adjacent steps.

We are a state that, arsenic you cognize and arsenic you discussed with our minister, maintains what I would telephone constructive relations with each countries successful the region, thing that, successful my view, makes america credible “bridge-builders.” Of course, to scope the constituent wherever we tin commencement gathering bridges, we indispensable archetypal determination beyond the constituent wherever they are being blown up.

Therefore, ensuring that we scope a constituent wherever diplomacy takes precedence is, I believe, a shared precedence for some our countries. Welcome, and I americium precise pleased to spot you.

Johann Wadephul: Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, for hosting america this afternoon. It is precise important that we conscionable successful times similar these, arsenic you said. I bring you precise lukewarm greetings from Friedrich Merz. I spoke with him yesterday afternoon, and helium asked maine to convey his warmest regards; helium values the relationship betwixt you. The aforesaid applies to our 2 countries and our 2 governments, particularly for overseas ministers successful these captious times.

This greeting we discussed successful item the concern successful the Strait of Hormuz. I judge it is perfectly indispensable for america to contiguous our arguments and to play a relation arsenic the European Union, due to the fact that we person interests successful the region, conscionable arsenic we person an involvement successful ending Russian penetration of Ukraine.

I would truthful say, successful presumption of Greece’s presidency of the European Union adjacent year, that we indispensable intensify our efforts truthful that the EU is capable to code each the threats and challenges we face. And this indispensable beryllium done among friends and cardinal partners, specified arsenic Greece and Germany. Thank you.