20 June 2025
Thank you Madame President,
Let me start by thanking the Secretary General, for his very important remarks. I also like to thank Under-Secretary-General Ms. DiCarlo and Director General of IAEA Mr. Grossi for their informative and timely briefings.
Madame President,
Since last Friday’s emergency meeting, there has been a significant deterioration in the situation in the Middle East. Once a dreaded possibility, military escalation is now a reality. In this dangerous moment, allow me to make the following three points:
First, we reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation and utmost restraint, so as to end the vicious cycle of military action and violence.
The international community must be urgently engaged in order to provide the necessary security assurances and a sustainable diplomatic endgame, so as to avoid a regional – or worse still, a global – conflagration. We fully support the Secretary General’s appeal to all to avoid any further widening of the conflict and we stress our commitment to regional security and stability, as well as our support to any diplomatic initiative that will lead to a sustainable ceasefire.
Second, Greece has repeatedly expressed – and does so again – its strong concern over the Iranian nuclear program. It is imperative to preserve the global non-proliferation regime as enshrined in the NPT and Iran must comply with its legally binding safeguards obligations and can never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.
Third and last, Greece has consistently supported Israel’s right to protect itself. We also echo the Secretary General’s condemnation of the tragic and unnecessary loss of lives and injuries to civilians and damage to homes and critical civilian infrastructure. A week into yet another conflict, it is now more important than ever to ensure that civilians do not keep finding themselves in the crossfire, especially given the nuclear aspect of the evolving crisis.
We recall the obligation of UN Member States to act in accordance with the Charter and International Law. We consider of absolute priority the respect of international law and international humanitarian law. It is essential to uphold the UN Charter as regards the use of force, as well as the integrity of the global non-proliferation regime.
Madame President,
In closing, allow me to reiterate that de-escalation and a full and immediate ceasefire are now urgently needed as a first step towards a sustainable peace. The international community and countries with influence must step in and offer a diplomatic way out to both parties.
We are looking forward to a positive outcome of the meeting taking place today in Geneva between the Foreign Ministers of the E3 (United Kingdom, France, Germany), the High-Representative of the European Union and the Foreign Minister of Iran.
The stakes are simply too high for regional and world security and failure is not an option.
I thank you.