Today at 17:22
Greek Permanent Representative to the United Nations Evangelos Sekeris, who holds the presidency of the Security Council in May, emphasizes his country’s principled position on the territorial integrity of Ukraine in the context of negotiations to end the Russian war.
According to Ukrinform in New York, Sekeris told reporters on Thursday at a briefing on the beginning of his country’s presidency of the UN Security Council.
He noted that although the issue of the Russian war is not on the agenda for this month for “technical” reasons (Russia is blocking its inclusion), the Security Council will definitely discuss the situation in Ukraine at the request of the members of the Security Council.
He noted that Greece, along with other EU countries represented in the Security Council, had initiated the discussion of Russia’s war at previous meetings.
The Permanent Representative reminded that in early March, Ukraine and the United States reached an agreement on a ceasefire, and Greece supports these efforts led by America. “We regret that Russia has not yet joined this agreement…” said the Security Council President, “We will see what happens… This is something we have to follow very closely.
He emphasized that Greece stands in solidarity with Ukraine.
“We, as Greece at the national level, take a very principled position in favor of respect for international law, the principles of independence, against any violation of Ukraine’s sovereign and territorial integrity, and we stand in solidarity with Ukraine,” the diplomat said.
The ceasefire should lead to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace through diplomacy, but in accordance with the UN Charter, which upholds the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, the Permanent Representative noted.
According to him, Ukraine “must and has the right to decide its own future and to adopt the peace formula” that suits it.
“There can be no discussion of peace without Ukraine and, I would say, without Europe,” the Security Council President emphasized.
The presidency of the Security Council changes monthly among its 15 members. In April, France held the presidency, in June it was Guyana’s turn, and in July it was Pakistan’s.
