Greece is planning to contribute to diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the war in Gaza and establishing a sustainable framework for governance, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (PICTURED))said in his weekly Sunday morning post on social media.
“All hostages must be released immediately, hostilities must end, and humanitarian aid must be intensified. We are in constant contact with allies and partners in the region,” the prime minister stated. “The prospect of creating two states in the region must be kept alive, with real security conditions, as the only solution for lasting peace for the benefit of the entire region.”
The announcement was made after British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has firmly outlined the government’s stance on international law, criticising the previous Conservative administration’s flirtation with withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
AD: Capeesh Restaurant
Only a few days ago, the Foreign Ministries of Greece and Italy on Wednesday issued a joint statement calling on the Global Sumud Flotilla to accept the offer of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem to safely deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, rather than attempting to breach Israel’s naval blockade.
“Greece and Italy are closely monitoring developments in the Global Sumud Flotilla and call on the Israeli authorities to ensure the safety and security of the participants and to allow for all consular protection measures,” the two foreign ministers stated.
They appealed to the participants of the flotilla “to accept the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s offer to safely deliver aid intended in solidarity with the children, women, and men of Gaza.”
AD: Oysterian Sea Food Restaurant And Bar
The statement credited the diplomatic initiative of US President Donald J. Trump for opening “for the first time” a concrete possibility of ending the conflict and the suffering of the Palestinian Arab population, including through full humanitarian access.
Greece and Italy have both been at pains to reaffirm the need to guarantee humanitarian access to Gaza and reach a ceasefire as soon as possible
Shabana Mahmood says she would “welcome” an end to the war in Gaza. Pic: Sky News
She spoke clearly to the Lords Constitution Committee, asserting that abandoning the ECHR would place the UK in a highly undesirable “club” alongside countries like Russia and Belarus.
This commitment to human rights instruments is a cornerstone of the new Labour government’s foreign policy approach.
Her statements represent a significant departure from the divisive rhetoric on international treaties that had become commonplace in recent years.
The Home Secretary acknowledged that there are genuine concerns about the application of specific ECHR articles in domestic law, particularly Article 8, which protects the right to respect for private and family life.
She pointed out that European colleagues view the UK as being at the “maximalist end of the spectrum” in its interpretation of international obligations.
Therefore, she has committed to pursuing domestic reforms to clarify how human rights are applied in immigration and criminal justice cases, ensuring that public confidence in the rule of law is maintained.
However, Ms Mahmood was careful to distinguish between targeted domestic reform and a complete ECHR exit.
She stressed that ministers are “believers in what the convention is trying to achieve” and should not “play populist politics” with such a fundamental legal framework.
The new administration’s position is the complete opposite of a withdrawal plan, focusing instead on reform as a shared political endeavor among member states.
These efforts seek to restore a balance of liberty with responsibility and individual rights with the wider public interest.
AD: Heritage And Restaurant Lounge Bar
