The Athens in coordination with Israel to safely disembark the passengers of the Global Sumud Flotilla and manage the crisis in international waters.
Athens is in a state of heightened diplomatic mobility following the incident in international waters off Crete, with the entanglement of the Global Sumud Flotilla and the Israeli operation that provoked strong reactions at the international level. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken an active role in coordinating with the Israeli authorities, seeking the smooth and safe management of the situation, with priority to protect the occupants and facilitate their return to their countries of origin. At the same time, the Greek side attempts to act as a factor of stability in the region, strengthening the diplomatic route and preventing further escalation in an already geopolitically sensitive zone of the Eastern Mediterranean.
On the opportunity of the Israeli operation on Global Sumud Flotilla vessels in international waters off Crete, we call for restraint and universal respect for international law, including international law of the sea and international humanitarian law.
Coordination
Greece, as a factor of stability in the region, in accordance with international law and for humanitarian reasons, has asked Israel to withdraw its vessels from the region and has offered its good offices by undertaking to receive the passengers on board and to ensure their safe return to their countries.
The Greek authorities are in consultation with the Israeli authorities on the issue of safe disembarkation in Greece. A team from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is travelling to the point of arrival to coordinate the actions of all relevant Greek authorities and to cooperate with the foreign consular authorities, who are being duly informed of their own actions.
