Greek Foreign Minister Advocates Monitoring of Syria Amid Violence

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgios Gerapetritis warns that the U.S. and Europe must closely monitor Syria’s new Islamist regime following violent clashes that killed hundreds. He emphasizes religious minority inclusion in governance and cautions against lifting sanctions without guarantees. Gerapetritis also addresses Turkey’s maritime claims and Greece’s growing ties with India as strategic moves in the region.

In light of recent violence in Syria, where the newly established Islamist regime has left hundreds dead, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgios Gerapetritis has urged the United States and Europe to closely monitor the situation. He emphasized that the inclusion of religious and ethnic minorities in governance is crucial, advocating for the maintenance of sanctions until this occurs. “All ethnic and religious minorities should be included in the governance, rule of law,” Gerapetritis stated in a recent interview.

The recent clashes, which erupted between factions of the governing group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and supporters of former leader Bashar al-Assad, have been particularly deadly, with mixed reports on civilian casualties. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported over 1,000 fatalities, with a significant portion being civilians. These clashes mark the bloodiest internal conflict since Assad’s ousting and have provoked international concern. U.N. human rights commissioner Volker Türk described the situation as disturbing, calling for the immediate cessation of violence against civilians.

Syria’s transitional president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, remarked on the necessity for national unity in light of these challenges. He stressed the importance of preserving harmony among the diverse groups within Syria. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Russia have prompted discussions within the U.N. Security Council regarding the ongoing violence.

The HTS, originally an al-Qaeda offshoot, has attempted to rebrand itself following its split from the group in 2016. Al-Sharaa has reiterated the group’s intentions to avoid becoming a similar case to Afghanistan and has promoted educational opportunities for women as part of this effort. Gerapetritis also voiced his concerns regarding Turkey’s maritime claims, which he deemed inconsistent with international law, while noting that relations between Greece and Turkey have shown some improvement despite historical tensions.

Greece continues to strengthen its diplomatic ties with India, positioning itself as a crucial link in a proposed Middle East-Europe corridor that aims to provide a counterbalance to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Gerapetritis expressed optimism regarding this partnership, emphasizing the importance of establishing alternative trade routes to reduce reliance on Chinese influence, particularly following Greece’s past financial struggles.

The article highlights concerns surrounding the recent violence in Syria under the new Islamist regime, advocating for the inclusion of minorities in governance and the conditional lifting of sanctions. Ongoing clashes have led to significant civilian casualties, prompting calls for immediate international scrutiny and intervention. Furthermore, Greece’s diplomatic relations, particularly with Turkey and India, reflect a broader strategy to stabilize the Eastern Mediterranean and counteract China’s geopolitical influence.

Original Source: www.foxnews.com