“Greece’s position has been clear from the outset: the country does not intend to become involved in the conflict,” Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis emphasized on Tuesday, in a joint press conference with his German counterpart Johann David Wadephul in Berlin.

He underlined that the safety of Greek seafarers and vessels in the Gulf region remains a top national priority and called for a universal coalition to guarantee freedom of navigation, independent of ongoing armed conflicts.

“Our priority is the security of our seafarers currently in the Gulf and of Greek ships stranded in the area,” Gerapetritis said. He urged all parties involved to ensure free navigation and refrain from any actions that violate the International Law of the Sea, stressing that safeguarding freedom of navigation is linked not only to oil prices, but also to global food security, prosperity, and social cohesion. It is imperative to return to diplomacy to restore freedom of navigation – any threat against it is unacceptable, he added.

In response to a question, the minister underlined the extreme sensitivity of the Strait of Hormuz, noting that any threat to vessels transiting the strait is unacceptable.

He called for a broader, universal coalition for freedom of navigation, working in cooperation with regional entities, Gulf countries, and Iran, to ensure that maritime transport remains unaffected by armed conflict.

It is not ideal to have isolated agreements determining the entry or exit of vessels from the Strait of Hormuz, he said and added: “What we seek is a permanent, general solution that guarantees peace, achievable only through a broader coalition under the auspices of international organizations, particularly the United Nations.”

The minister also referred to relevant initiatives undertaken by the Greek government.