Treatise talks to ouch is here the go square, patrice as welcome to talk to l. Just so pleasant. A no, no, thank you. For the invitation. Name was dying of the precipice of a potential, full blown is rarely invasion. Of rough and southern gaza, causing huge concerns about the implications on the she found this area and situation that the civilian population that so much so that even the United States to storage. I live as well as urged israel to show restraint as another ally of israel. What conversations are you having with your history, the counterpart, specifically about rafa and the conflict when youre in the library . I thing you will have to be very honest, very open, very from instance here. So our main point is that any sort of invasion to alpha should be avoid this and prevented at the moment. There is a huge combination of the population in the roughly its a very overcrowded region. And any sort of invasion could close that dramatic humanitarian crisis, which we need to avoid. So our advice is that these should be prevented by any possible means whether i really want to say is that at this moment, were just not the very crucial johnstone. Its a difficult situation that were encountering because of the overloading on their own speech. Feet spillover effects in the region, we have the situation 11 under the situation in syria, in the red sea. Obviously we had things eventually theyd, on both of these very moments or pot. This needs to have a very high level of uh, set for say, talking about surface tray and this must be an incredibly difficult diplomatic position. The grease has been put in recently to quotes. Im in a security echo. So lets, lets talk is back in november, said of israel, a quote, sometimes friends have to speak hard truths to friends that was 5 months ago. Has this sort of been listening to any of those truths . What i have to say is that in this position, you have to be very open, but you have to be a room based a lot. Yeah, i think and just from the very 1st day we had the opportunity to be very open but also very principals in our policy. We didnt take any side. What we said was that we need to the social shapes. The 3rd is the thoughts, the how most organization from the promising and people we set up the ease. Ryan is had the rights to defend themselves, but we think the boundaries of humanitarian law and all their all International Law. We say its costly just should not be kept because this is the time it gets any sort of International Law using people us too much sense. And what we also said was that we need to minimize to the maximum the civilian losses. Obviously all of these were not sure, but the, the International Community had these lots of goods. The point here is needs that we have to be as pressing as possible in order to implement the eventually the, the hold of the facilities. At the moment what were planning for is that on the students needs to believe that there is a credible way out. And this is why were fully supporting the 2 state solution, a ways according to their distribution distribution shop there. I think weve come from of the United Nations. We used your ocean that mazda the competency 2 of the products, 5 states, and of course, with the pre, 1967 borders. The thing is now that the whole community, the whole International Community. Next, to exercise the maximum pressure upon the parties in order to reach an agreement that they really appreciate what cutoffs and egypt and other art up states are doing and the efforts of the European Union. How convinced all those goals, partners, our states . I mean, obviously you were here in the region to speak to, to permanent figures. How convinced all those partners here in the middle east and further feel that you are willing to push israel as far as you possibly can on this at the moment . Is there a reason, i think a consensus was in the European Union partners that we need to have an immediate so as far and we need to further develop our humanitarian needs towards palestine. There is a consensus on uh, on this point and i dont think there is um, any divergence. What we need to do is to find the actual modes in order to exercise further pressure on their partners. And im speaking both for the mouse and uh for each right. Um, i seen each of us with some photos at the moment to move that we joined efforts because there are a lot of funding left which taking place the the uh, there is the we need to do. There is a good opinion initiatives or as the american and you said, we didnt have to actually combine all of those part on the left for us in order to have a single efforts to be more effective and meaningful. I wonder if we kind of focused on that you are p and initiative because speaking of the Harvard Center for European Studies last year, you said that quote, Global Governance needs to be based on principles, not Just International standards of law, but coherent and consistent policy on a matter of consistent policy, the use dressing was speech, has greece being consistent in defending international, more and gaza. As you add the e. U has been when it comes to the war and ukraine and russias invasion. I take that to imply that we have double standards, but the thing is that when it comes to breeze, we have a very strong principled foreign policy. We have exactly the same standards when it comes to me, the least or to ukraine or to have such a hard and not freak out. Any other sort of conflict. They both im seeing is here that we fully abide by International Law. We fully abide by the rules and more of a sofa, uh, International Humanitarian law. And we have comments, thunder. Its the thing is, 1st that we needs to actually conduct any sort of aggression and the trustees, thats it is a lot of aggression coming from various a started stadium, knocks us. Secondly, what we need to stress either is the Human Dignity is up to the top of our priority. Again, i have to serve as a point that we cannot accept the loss of civilian people, but at the same time we cannot accept in any. Busy way that keeping costs of disease or practice in order to get the leverage to a hub. Uh, introduction of benefits. What im saying is that we apply on International Law standards. We have to be stronger, but also we have to be as pressing as possible. What we really like is the implementation of, of our basic beliefs, because because the trustees need that International Law in these respects and the International Side keeps throughout the picture. When it comes to me please, but also to ukraine cost fades in my eyes. There is no case of doubles thunder and sniff. Um, what i have to say is, is that we are totally against any sort of aggression. So there is no aggressions that could be tolerable only when someone defense that its uh on here, when it comes with defense of state authority and integrity, its children. 3, when its about the 2030 in law only, then we have a principal policy and they have to say that when it comes to they going to be in union and especially when it comes to race, i think we have a very strong single strong those policy when it comes to ukraine, when it comes to um the list from the very 1st time. And we said that there is a rights defense defense for his rent. But at the same time, we cannot accept any sort of disproportionate reaction. And according to just jumping in on the disproportionate reaction that use like the, i mean house, for instance, germany, the powerhouse is economic powerhouse. A viewer has its born, keeps support for israel over the years with huge amounts of ministry, supports the tickets, right. How about complicated your relations steal aspirations for peace in the region. Thats not complicated. Greece is relationship with by that. Um, exactly, because we have a very principles policy when it comes to the me listening. If we are able to talk to all interested parties up to this very moment, we can speak to the radio affiliate officials as well to the from the senior officials. We speak to uh, jordan, we speak to a lender, we speak to egypt, we speak obviously to our uh, gulf partners. We speak to all parties here. We have us uh, shopped in, so it should germany be showing with strange. I think that was the question. Im trying to, well, we just remind the view as were talking when it comes to jim support is billions of dollars naval vessels. Were looking at some marines and vehicles. Explosive device is not to mention tank, an aircraft pause. What does it mean to you . The e u made weapons are being used in this theater of war in gaza with such a devastating consequences. No guns should be used in an offensive way. Thats our, ill give you. The guns are produced in order to prevent any sort of course that is in order to be used as a defensive mechanism. And in order to prevent the international security, many human Rights Groups say, those weapons being used in goals are to indiscriminately and disproportionate be killed. Do you believe israels war and gaza is indiscriminate to . Ive seen that there has been a, a disproportionate defense here. I think that the best tool is huge is, should not have happened, but obviously when, when uh, the other party, you know, who is using people as human shields. Its very difficult to operate any sort of defense. On the other hand, what im saying is that we should prevent any sort of of, uh, cvd and mostly is what im suggesting is that by fueling the conflict by continuing this on, hinted unrestricted flow of weapon re, im a form, a permanent e, you member state surely is not going to lead to peace to pull the right lever, in order to judge israel to step away from its current trajectory would surely mean doing something more affirmative. The clearly we need to do. So the things of these of the is run. We need to be more pressing. We have discussed these during our, for the 1st column sitting in luxembourg, and i think we would find ways to, to be more pressing the forthcoming for failure for right now, for a comes in, in, in process where were going to invite the is ready for administer and were going to hear how the situation is from shes your point. The truth is i, i think that there is a, you know, limited and are straight to this point. Theres going to need me to, among the European Union partners. Thought this very moment. The war needs to stop or we should allow further space for diplomacy to prevent and we needs to provide a vision to the front of thing and people swear to the states solution. In april 2021 is running grease. You signed your biggest defense procurement deal to you. I mean, the deal includes this 1650000000. 00 contract to train the greek air force. 5 is where the defense contracts are a bit systems as over a 22 year period. Thats a serious commitment between greece and israel. Well, you will government be reviewing those military ties in light of what were seeing in the, in the middle east and the is really oregon and to be honest name, i dont think its the time to actually to revisit our contracts in our strategic partnerships. I think the moment is here to see more than 2 minutes what message does not send in terms of your commitment to peace in the region. The commitment to peace is our principal active duty to uh, uh, to claim for, for a ceasefire to claim for offenders who money 30. 00 need to be a sincere me the to was because the truth is now new. Thats countries like greece is more useful. Never the same was cathartic because we arent able to talk to both parties know, find countries come talk to both countries. And this is the outcome of our route based policy. Obviously we, lets start digit partnership with caesar, and well have them carpet. Theres a nice thing, it is important to have so that the dick alliances in uh, in the region. But these cars not prevented us from being very strong and very thoughtful with these. Right. How would you explain the growing closeness between greece and israel and recent years off to rule previous greek governments . I think its fair to say have been very sympathetic to the posting cause i mean the back of 1982. It was greek ships that was sent to bring the p l. O leader. Yes, to her thoughts to athens. Whats happened over the years . Nothing. We still have a excellent relationship with the big states and especially with the Palestinian Authority from the very 1st time what we said was that we should prevent any sort of the legend, my thirtys ation awful. For the 1st thing in the 40 to one of the major problems now is that we do not have a credible interrupt from the Public Opinion side. Because in the course of the will, there has been a demoralization of the policy and i forwarded to you from the very 1st day. We said that we would like to see the policy you know, forwarded to being a creditable discuss funds. We think that the Palestinian Authority represents the policy and people and this is why i myself visited my line and i hosted the for in minnesota. And i have 2 laptops with the high level of the Political Leadership in palestine. We have an excellent relationship. We fully support them. We have provided you with some extra money tied in support. And we intend to be again, i am saying this. We intend to be very honest with the tours in these uh, toner mind. I ask about the garden closeness between greece and israel because it appears to many out of this looking in from the inside. Thats that relationship is based upon a shed, mistrust off to you and correct. Its no secret. Of course. He remained at all just over the territory of the status of cyprus. The list goes on to 1st of all, id like to say that agrees voltage things say well are all for the cease fire. And the further they to many, 30. 00 and 8. 00. During the, during how somebody or for, for the United Nations and weve produced together, we produce with the allies, uh, the resolution to stop listing repairs and provide further humanitarian aid. Now, when it comes to international politics, i have to tend to go very frankie, neve, that we do not follow any sort of transaction. Im going to say what reply is that we have some joint interest with is rarely because we, we go against the 2 key. This is not the case. I have to tell you this on 2 grounds. First, as a matter of principle, because what we do has nothing to do with getting any collateral benefits. From my 1st day in the for the ministry. I said that i would follow it very well based policy, a very principal policy. And i have fully abided by this, so i do not expect to have any gains from my countrys policy. The cert from the thing is that uh now we are in the state of improving our relationship with duty. We have done that lots of significant steps in order to mitigate our tensions. The truth is that in the last year we have made it to actually reduce central needs abroad the origin. We have made it to develop a positive agenda and it never, never lets talk to you. Yeah, it has continually accused you of minutes rising the gene as an other ones words. Its not happening. So someone would have to say that uh, the uh, restrict key relationship is based on International Law. Its not something that is determined by the voluntary is to do the venue of those states or International Law explicitly proclaims that uh the the, the islands, the area not allowed to belong to greece. There is, um, a line. Busy of uh, items uh that uh, protects it fully protected by International Law. Reese is exercising the full legitimate provides to defense the island sense of defense of the country. Its obviously when you have a huge army, just across the net in a couple of minds, these funds, you need to be very well prepared. Having said that, i need to say that we are working for peace and i think we have strong explicit evidence that we uh, 150 to be close to us. And indeed, our Prime Minister mutual talk is, is going to long cut on the 13th of may. Were going to have a very productive dialogue. This is coming in the after months of full spreads and theyre the ones visit to athens on the 7th of this, on the 7th of december, last year, we signed and very important to both from, from the point of view of this importance from nature as well. As from the practical viewpoints and political decoration indicating good for neighbor realizations and friendly supplemental funds. So you, if you could definitely cool this in your eyes, very much our approach mom. But still as i mentioned, underlying tensions remain when the recent days took. You describe the decision to designate parts of the gmc on iron. You can see as greek nature pox. They say youll simply exporting issues to push your geo political agenda, namely to a so a control over the entire region is all greece is doing that. No, because as i said, were not doing any transaction, im totally fixed to start with. What were doing is just to preserves our environments and in natures environments. Last week we had the very successful reunion. 9 please. We have the nines, our ocean conference. Its a huge conference about the preservation of authors and oceans worldwide. We have 125. 00 delegations from around the world. It was very important. Catherine. Uh, we had about 400 commitments amounting to about 11000000000 euros bureau is about among all commitments as well as the establishment of the 2 box in greece, running the army into wandering. The gmc, what were saying is that to those bach, wed be devoid of that. In short, well find nonsense rotation. You know that exactly. To preserve the sustainability of the water environments in that age. And this is clearly within the shop runs in children, right . So for the, for grease that has helped us get them up. So please allow me to consider that there was another reaction concerning this declaration from, from us. But we have here to agree on something which is important when it comes to environment of sustainability. We cannot do geopolitics and environmental. Sustainability is a need for they can monitor if these are Global Challenge and if it takes them some brave decisions and were going to make those rate is in the interest of smoothing tension. So easing tension. So with your lodge historical neighbour, of course, youve had many tension so many years. Would it be prudent to reduce your military presence in the likes of the island of costs . For instance, according to to key a. M, you know, under the 1947 peace treaty, there shouldnt be any greek troops there in the 1st place. Now in my eyes, this is a misreading of the truth is it allows you to know im, im, im a lawyer and then theyre making, they can read, treat this the trophies that we preserve the necessary military in order to defend ourselves. And i think there is not a Single Person that would consider that these would cover any sort or for, for offense investigations against the to with you. Um, we are relatively small nation, but um, you know, that we have to defend ourselves. We have to exercise a fully fledged policy or for, for a National Defense. And this is where were going to do a um, in an ideal words, i would say is that obviously we wouldnt need to have any arms. But given the fact that there is an army set on the nose from various neighborhoods, i think that its necessary to have a strong, okay, and just have an army also spend perhaps more than any of the country or many, many countries. I mean, back in 2022, greece was spending more in defense than any other country as a portion of g d p. Well, those are the 2 percent special required as a, as a native member in your opinion, continued to be money well spent given recent economic term or increase. Of course the country is recovering well, but never the less is this money well spent fuel focus . There are 2 questions here, whether were doing when and whether we should do any notion of the different spending. So i wouldnt take a lot to have to stop with. What i suggest is, yes, were having a National Defense expenditure, which is above the average. And i have to tell you that this is a totally explicable, if someone reads history. Unfortunately, were not the luxembourg, and were not living in a very peaceful neighborhood. And the trustees that we have to be very well prepared, greece is a country with the greatest seesaw in europe. We have a very loud c, so we have to defend our islands. We have to defend our region. So obviously we need to do some addition and not Strong Defense spending, whether this is well deserved, i will tell you that this is a democratic summons if the electron says that its money well spent, they need these web spend, then these governments has for the 2nd consecutive time, a huge extra victory over 41 percent of the elect sort of voted in favor of our program. So i will tell you that there is a photos respects of our program now on the other side of the core. And i would say that the fax that police is doing extremely well in the economic sector and allow us to just invest not only obviously National Defense, but certainly another aspect in associated state and also in investments. Greece is expected to have the growth rate of 3 percent next in these kind of year 2024 was bigger ego, but its going to be 0. 8. So you can see that we have a 3 time i pray to do the fees and on bruce is on other states. So we are allowed to do some spending. And indeed the maximum of our spending close to social needs and investments. What, what does it, what does it mean to you to no longer be perceived as the economic sick mind of your is this a good sort of self confidence to start with the trustees that we have the huge start balance. We have the 10 years or full file stated the policies we have, we had we, we were very close to actually get out of the group. And you know, because of our fiscal situation, and we have to go through a series of, of a very unfortunate incidence, including the persistence of population, we increase population gathering, a very difficult situation. One step away from the European Union. We model survive and nice thing breaks peoples folds up and high level of maturity too. And when it came to the crucial the 2019 elections, the people voted for the government that would bring box res into normality and bring back fries into the european farming. And now were very proud to say such, we have 5 significantly reduced all depths that we have significantly increase our 2 to be and we have a board approval. We have a very sustainable environment for investments. We have a 35 percent increase on exports and we have a 30 percent increase on direct for any investments. And im probably going to show you that some can know some companies have come to greece and the last 5 years, including the pfizer will be almost in meta uh, the only invest increased because they think that rece provides a very strongly foundation for investments. And i would like to actually quoted for through go trying them to potentially investors to check out the grease because this is going to be the economic meet our goal in terms of investments or in the future. Probably briefly last question. I want to put this to you because you seem very, very aware of the need for diplomacy. The need to ease tensions that theres probably a very difficult time how optimistic all you of the europe that we know remaining stable. So we have a problem next. And the problem is that, um, there is unusual for, for the way we take decisions with decision making. Mechanisms and International Organizations seems to be quite obsolete at the moment. What happened was in the afternoon of the 2nd world war, we had an international uh, uh, not where we have to get together. But we had to develop also a National Voice with international organization. Then that led to the victor rights policy and the Security Council of the United Nations and choose a European Union. Victor right apparently has been a huge snag in order to gets to where to adoption of decision. And i think this is going to be the problem for the years to come. The fact that we have in a, an International Decision making quits, prohibits the states the international uh organization from taking decisions that are resolved. So we ended at cookchildrens russian and we have 2 visits. That way we take decisions and above all, we have to put the, the, the global, the above the, the states we have to seeing more of the future. We have to think more about the generations to come. We have to think about shared challenges, such as the climate crisis, the food and security. And we have to think about the children of, of on your guys kind of patrice this. Thank you for talking to how just because of funding. Thank you so much. The this is a front line where there is little life after more than half a year of hostilities that began when hezbollah opened up a front to help. Its a lie from us in casa, we are traveling with members of the United Nations peacekeeping force, their own patrol with lebanons army. We are here to support them and these government to take control of the situation. But the army is not the dominant force here. Has the law has a strong presence even before this late this confrontation, nearly 100000 lebanese, have left their homes and livelihoods. Its a similar situation on the other side of the border. This is the cost of hor, official. A loss that are already in the billions of dollars, although the contract is still large with contained and confined to the, for the region, has been lost as the conflict wont end until theres a cease fire in casa. But possibly not even then. Because isabel is threatening a wider war if Border Security doesnt improve. Unique, effective denial is wild on 6 of the polls show the history of the genocide without any research on hud voices. Why is it the doctors dont get to have a site . And if this is a medical workforce has been so and devalued by the British Government for such a little time, the stream on out to 0 a 106 kilometers stretched remote and powerless jungle. Big only laundry to south america for migrants shakira. Sides of the United States a voyage, but for some is their loss. None the less for compass families, its a risk they are willing to take full lines and box on this and for giving journey to tell the story of one of the children of the barium go on up jersey to the cause of destruction and gauze, continued is the latest round, the sea spot tops between our mazda and guitar, egyptian, and us mediators, a set tickets on the way in colorado. The carry, johnson, this is ill just say are a lot from to i also coming up the thousands of israelis protest in the capital, tennessee demanding a cease fire in guns and the release of captives