UNITED NATIONS (AP) 鈥 The world is facing the most turbulent times since World War II, Greece鈥檚 top diplomat says, pointing to a crossroads in democracy and saying Europe is facing a 鈥減olitical identity crisis.鈥
In a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press, Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis weighed in on two of the globe’s major conflicts, saying the 鈥渘ightmare鈥 and escalating must end and Greece stands by .
He also noted that U.S. are not 鈥済ood news.鈥
Here are some takeaways from Monday’s interview:
A crisis in democracy tied to inequality
Gerapetritis, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the U.N. Security Council this month, said are challenging 鈥渢he essence of democracy and the rule of law.鈥 As a result, 鈥渨e have turned into an era where populism and demagogues are essentially ruling the state,鈥 he said.
He said global turmoil is also the result of technology and the world’s mobility, which mean every challenge 鈥 from pandemics to climate and migration 鈥 touches everyone. The upheaval also follows a crisis in overall global cooperation and , which have failed to address challenges in recent years.
Nonetheless, Gerapetritis said, Greece believes 鈥渄emocracy has a self-corrective mechanism鈥 and what鈥檚 needed at this challenging time is strong leadership in major nations and international organizations 鈥渢o make people believe in the noble cause of being together in peace and prosperity.鈥
Europe is seeking resilience amid the war in Ukraine
The Greek foreign minister said the European Union鈥檚 requirement that decisions be adopted unanimously by its 27 members 鈥 鈥 has become an obstacle.
On the other hand, he said, the veto reflects national interests that should be at the core of European politics.
At the moment, Gerapetritis said Europe is in a 鈥減olitical identity crisis.鈥
鈥淚t seems that on occasions, we forget what are the essential elements that brought us together as Europeans, and we do suffer from some divergences and conflict,鈥 he said. 鈥淎nd now we鈥檙e suffering the post-shock syndrome after the war in Ukraine. So I think Europe needs again to find its resilience and identity.鈥
because it supports the rule of law and its sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said.
As for EU and U.S. sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Gerapetritis said they have been only partially successful because Moscow has . The economic penalties have not become 鈥渁 turning point for peace,鈥 he said.
Greece has good relations with both Israel and the Palestinians
Gerapetritis said his country supports a , has discussed it and extensively with Israel and the Palestinians, and sees itself as an 鈥渉onest broker.鈥
鈥淲e would like to be actively involved, but to be totally honest, it鈥檚 not a matter of who mediates, it鈥檚 a matter of stopping the nightmare,鈥 he said.
Hamas鈥 killing of 1,200 people and taking of hostages from Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, was absolutely inhumane, he said. Also, 鈥淚 cannot really tolerate what is happening now in the Middle East,鈥 he said, pointing to the , mostly women and children, according to its health ministry, which doesn鈥檛 differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count.
Gerapetritis, who will preside at a Security Council meeting Thursday on protecting civilians in conflict, called for massive humanitarian aid for Gaza and a speedy ceasefire.
The this week following nearly three months of an Israeli blockade of food, medicine and other supplies. Israel says a will launch to prevent Hamas from accessing aid, which Israel says the militant group uses to bolster its rule in Gaza.
Looking for compromise on U.S. tariffs
Gerapetritis said U.S.-Greek ties are growing, citing investments by Amazon, Google, Pfizer and other companies, including in the energy field.
haven鈥檛 had a major influence in the country, he said, 鈥渂ecause we are not overexposed to that type of bilateral trade.鈥
But Greece is in favor of free trade, he said, and while 鈥渨e do not consider that tariffs are good news 鈥 we do believe that there must be a modus vivendi,鈥 a Latin phrase that in international relations often means a compromise between parties.
Trump imposed a amid a series of such moves against trading partners but later paused them to give a chance to negotiate solutions to U.S. trade concerns. Countries subject to the pause will face Trump鈥檚 10% baseline tariff.
