Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has been in Israel for some time now, confirming the information since Sunday afternoon that he will make the trip that had not taken place the previous week.
According to the announcement from the Prime Minister's press office, Mitsotakis met with the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Proto Thema reported.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis had announced from last Wednesday's cabinet meeting that he would make the trip he did not make that day for security reasons.
The announcement
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis arrived in Israel and held a meeting in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Prime Minister will return to Athens in the afternoon.
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The presence of Mitsotakis at the summit in Cairo
On Saturday, the prime minister had given his "attendance" at the Summit for Peace held in Cairo, sending the message that "no military intervention can replace a sustainable political solution."
"The key message we need to send today is that we all condemn terrorism in all its forms. We mourn the loss of life and harm to innocent civilians from the violence in Israel and Gaza following the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas. There are innocent victims on both sides.
"There are citizens who are being held hostage, and there can be no peace talks until they are released, he said while making special reference to the bombing of the Alahli hospital in Gaza, the citizens who were brutally killed or tortured or murdered in their homes in Israel."
The Greek Prime Minister reiterated the positions of Athens.
"Israel has a right to self-defence, but in accordance with international law," he said.
"In war, there are limits to the harm you can cause. The laws of war prohibit collective punishment. And this legislation is designed to ensure the limits of the harm we can inflict on other people even when a war occurs," the prime minister continued.
"Hamas is not the Palestinians."
"Hamas is a terrorist organisation. It's not the Palestinians. The Palestinian people do not deserve this. President Abbas, who represents the Palestinian Authority, has bravely stood against violence since the beginning of the crisis," he added.
The prime minister made the release of the hostages a priority and warned that there was a risk that the tension would escalate. At the same time, he welcomed the opening of Rafah to give humanitarian aid to Gaza.
"We will contribute to every effort for peace and humanitarian aid," he said.
Mitsotakis emphasised that our country's efforts are being harmonised with its European partners within the EU and that we are ready to contribute to peace initiatives.
"As a neighbouring country, we hope that de-escalation can be achieved and humanitarian aid can be provided to all citizens. No military intervention can replace a viable political solution," the prime minister concluded.
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