Lebanese-Greek talks at Grand Serail, Mikati stresses importance of adhering to ceasefire measures
Monday, Dec 16, 2024
NNA - Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Monday reiterated "the importance of adhering to the measures taken to cease fire and ensuring its continuity, especially the full implementation of Resolution 1701".
Caretaker Premier Mikati considered that "Greece's accession to the non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for the years 2025 and 2026 will help in conveying the Lebanese voice and defending our country's right to peace and stability, and stopping the Israeli aggression against it."
In turn, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed that "the international community and Greece are doing their utmost to ensure respect for the ceasefire and UN Resolution 1701, which guarantees Lebanon's full sovereignty over Lebanese territory and provides the conditions for security and sustainable peace for its people." He underlined that "Greece was and will remain a full partner in the efforts to rebuild Lebanon."
The Prime Minister and his Greek counterpart held a bilateral meeting at the Grand Serail this afternoon, followed by an expanded meeting attended on the Lebanese side by Lebanon's Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib, Army Commander General Joseph Aoun, Secretary General of the Council of Ministers Judge Mahmoud Makkieh, and Premier Mikati's Advisors, former Minister Nicolas Nahas, Ambassador Boutros Asaker and Ziad Mikati.
On the Greek side, the meeting was attended by Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, Georgios Gerapetritis, Greek Ambassador to Lebanon, Despina Koukoulopoulou, Chief of Staff Dimitrios Choupis, and the Diplomatic Director of the Prime Minister's Office, Ioannis Miltiades Nikolaides.
The Greek Prime Minister arrived at the Grand Serail this afternoon, whereby he received an official welcome ceremony with the Lebanese and Greek national anthems being played.
At the conclusion of the talks, Premiers Mikati and Mitsotakis held a joint press conference, during which Mikati said: “We were pleased today to receive the Greek Prime Minister, Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and the accompanying delegation. During the talks, we discussed various bilateral cooperation files, and the distinguished relations that bind our two countries.“
Mikati added, “We discussed joint cooperation and the potential of concluding bilateral economic and trade agreements between the two countries that may contribute to strengthening and enhancing relations and helping Lebanon emerge from its financial and economic crisis.“
He went on to say: "On the political front, we discussed the current situation in Lebanon in light of the measures taken to cease fire. We stressed the importance of adhering to the terms of these measures and ensuring their continuity, especially the full implementation of Resolution 1701."
"During the meeting, we stressed the important role of the army in this regard, and Presmier Mitsotakis expressed Greece's readiness to work on securing the army's needs, a topic that was discussed in a bilateral meeting between the army commander and the Chief of Staff of the Greek Army."
In this framework, Mikati saluted Greece for its contribution to the peacekeeping forces in the south.
On the other hand, during the visit of the Greek Prime Minister, a bilateral meeting was held at the Grand Serail between the Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Dr. Abdullah Bou Habib, and his Greek counterpart, Georgios Gerapetritis.
A bialteral meeting was also held between Lebanon's Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, and the Greek Chief of the General Staff of the National Defense, General Dimitrios Choupis.