File photo.
Greece will follow the European Union’s lead in deciding whether to join US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts, Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said.
He said it currently appears that the EU will “almost universally” adopt a position not to join Trump’s initiative. “Provided that position is unanimous … then it is obvious that Greece will act correspondingly,” he said in an interview late Wednesday with Action 24 TV.
“Without ignoring reality, as it is shaping up, Greece will follow a principled stance and stand with its European partners,” he said. Gerapetritis added that it was “in principle, significant” that Greece was among “a relatively small number” of European countries to receive Trump’s invitation.
Trump’s initiative was initially linked with ending the war in Gaza, but he later said its remit would be expanded to include other conflicts. Critics have expressed fears it could clash with the role of the United Nations. Hungary is the only EU member to have accepted an invitation to join.
Gerapetritis also said no date has been fixed so far for an anticipated meeting next month in Ankara between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He said it would likeliest be held in the first fortnight of February.