Latest news with #GiorgosGerapetritis
L'Orient-Le Jour
2 days ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Israelis prevented from landing on Greek island by pro-Palestinian protesters
Israeli vacationers on a cruise were prevented from disembarking Tuesday on the Greek island of Syros due to a gathering of pro-Palestinian protesters organized at the entrance to the port, according to reports in the Israeli press. "I think we arrived around 12:30 p.m. The first people to get off the boat were apparently sprayed with water," a passenger told Israeli media. The company operating the cruise also announced that passengers would not be allowed to disembark in Syros and that the ship would continue to Limassol, Cyprus. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar reportedly spoke with his Greek counterpart, Giorgos Gerapetritis, and asked him to intervene in Syros. Greek media reported that a large crowd of Syros residents took part in the demonstration against what they called the "genocide" carried out by Israel in Gaza.
Libyan Express
15-07-2025
- Business
- Libyan Express
Greek FM holds talks in Tripoli amid maritime dispute
BY Libyan Express Jul 15, 2025 - 21:17 From dispute to dialogue: Greece and Libya explore common ground Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis conducted official meetings in Tripoli on Monday, where he met with Presidential Council Chairman Mohamed al-Menfi, Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, and Acting Foreign Minister Taher al-Baour. The visit followed recent diplomatic friction between Greece and Libya, after the Libyan government submitted a memorandum to the United Nations objecting to Greece's delineation of maritime boundaries south of Crete. Libya's objection references the 2019 maritime agreement signed with Turkey, which it claims Greece's actions disregard. Despite the maritime disagreement, discussions in Tripoli focused on avenues to enhance bilateral cooperation. Both sides, in separate meetings, highlighted the historical ties between the two nations and emphasised the importance of continued dialogue based on mutual respect for sovereignty and shared interests. Talks included the potential resumption of direct flights between the two countries, and the reopening of Greek airspace to Libyan airlines. Officials also discussed strengthening coordination on irregular migration and broader regional security concerns. While not officially confirmed in public statements, discussions reportedly touched on the reactivation of joint technical and economic committees, as well as opportunities for Greek companies to participate in reconstruction and infrastructure projects in Libya. Following his visit to Tripoli, Minister Gerapetritis is expected to travel to New York to attend United Nations-brokered talks on Cyprus. The meetings, which will also be attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, are part of ongoing efforts to manage tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly concerning maritime boundary issues. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
Libya Review
15-07-2025
- Business
- Libya Review
Libya & Greece Reaffirm Commitment to Closer Ties
On Tuesday, the Chairman of Libya's Presidential Council, Mohamed Al-Mnifi, met with Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis in Tripoli, where the two officials discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and expand areas of mutual cooperation. The meeting, held at the headquarters of the Presidential Council, was also attended by Greek Ambassador to Libya Nikolaos Garilidis. Discussions focused on enhancing political and diplomatic ties, emphasizing the shared historical and cultural links between Libya and Greece, and expressing a mutual desire to deepen cooperation in a way that serves both nations' strategic interests. During the talks, Al-Mnifi underscored the importance of restoring strong, stable relations with Greece, noting that both countries stand to benefit from greater collaboration, particularly in the areas of economic development, investment, and regional security. The two sides reviewed a series of initiatives aimed at reviving mechanisms for bilateral cooperation, including the reactivation of joint technical and economic committees that have been dormant in recent years. Both parties welcomed the idea of reopening channels for Greek companies to return to Libya and participate in reconstruction efforts, particularly in infrastructure, energy, and development sectors. Another key point of discussion was the potential reopening of direct commercial flights between Libya and Greece. Both officials agreed that improving air connectivity would support trade, tourism, and broader people-to-people exchange. Enhancing security coordination, especially in addressing irregular migration across the Mediterranean, was also highlighted as a shared priority. For his part, Foreign Minister Gerapetritis reaffirmed Greece's support for Libya's sovereignty and political stability. He expressed his government's readiness to assist in reconstruction efforts and to build a forward-looking partnership grounded in mutual respect and long-term cooperation. Tags: CooperationGreeceGreek MinisterlibyaPresidential Council
Winnipeg Free Press
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Greece detains 1,200 migrants in three days as arrivals from Libya surge
GAVDOS, Greece (AP) — Authorities in Greece say more than 1,200 migrants have been detained on the island of Crete and the nearby islet of Gavdos over the past three days, following a surge in arrivals from Libya. The coast guard said multiple boats were intercepted off Crete's southern coast from Saturday through Monday, prompting regional officials to request additional government assistance. The uptick in arrivals coincided with a visit by Greece's foreign minister, Giorgos Gerapetritis, to Libya for talks with both the internationally recognized government and a rival administration, amid efforts to address the growing migration crisis and a maritime boundary dispute. Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said patrols by the coast guard and navy in the region are likely to be intensified. He added that approximately 8,000 migrants have reached Crete since the start of the year. 'It's a complex and extremely serious issue. Crete and its residents are under significant strain,' Marinakis said. 'We hope that all the diplomatic efforts will bear fruit. Otherwise, we will be forced to adopt stricter and far more large-scale measures to ensure the country is protected.' Migrants typically make the 350-kilometer (220-mile) journey to Crete in unseaworthy boats — often hastily constructed to survive a single voyage or in abandoned vessels modified in scrapyards. Gavdos, a tiny island south of Crete, has been overwhelmed by arrivals. Boats and dinghies remain washed up on its pebble beaches, many of them accessible only on foot. On one remote beach, David, a migrant from war-torn South Sudan, sat with five others as they rested to decide what to do next. Speaking to The Associated Press, he said smugglers beat several people during the journey and demanded more money than originally agreed. 'After you pay the money, everything is by force. If you talk, they hit you,' he said. 'The boat was very dangerous — too many people.' David, who asked to be identified only by his first name, said he hoped to stay anywhere in Europe. 'We didn't come to cause a problem. We came to save our lives,' he said. 'If you stay, you die.' European Commissioner Magnus Brunner is expected to travel to Libya this week with government representatives from Greece, Italy and Malta to push for tougher action from Libyan authorities to curb migrant departures for Europe. ___ Derek Gatopoulos contributed from Athens, Greece ___ Follow AP's global migration coverage at
The Independent
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Greece detains 1,200 migrants in three days as arrivals from Libya surge
Authorities in Greece say more than 1,200 migrants have been detained on the island of Crete and the nearby islet of Gavdos over the past three days, following a surge in arrivals from Libya. The coast guard said multiple boats were intercepted off Crete's southern coast from Saturday through Monday, prompting regional officials to request additional government assistance. The uptick in arrivals coincided with a visit by Greece's foreign minister, Giorgos Gerapetritis, to Libya for talks with both the internationally recognized government and a rival administration, amid efforts to address the growing migration crisis and a maritime boundary dispute. Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said patrols by the coast guard and navy in the region are likely to be intensified. He added that approximately 8,000 migrants have reached Crete since the start of the year. 'It's a complex and extremely serious issue. Crete and its residents are under significant strain,' Marinakis said. 'We hope that all the diplomatic efforts will bear fruit. Otherwise, we will be forced to adopt stricter and far more large-scale measures to ensure the country is protected.' Migrants typically make the 350-kilometer (220-mile) journey to Crete in unseaworthy boats — often hastily constructed to survive a single voyage or in abandoned vessels modified in scrapyards. Gavdos, a tiny island south of Crete, has been overwhelmed by arrivals. Boats and dinghies remain washed up on its pebble beaches, many of them accessible only on foot. On one remote beach, David, a migrant from war-torn South Sudan, sat with five others as they rested to decide what to do next. Speaking to The Associated Press, he said smugglers beat several people during the journey and demanded more money than originally agreed. 'After you pay the money, everything is by force. If you talk, they hit you,' he said. 'The boat was very dangerous — too many people.' David, who asked to be identified only by his first name, said he hoped to stay anywhere in Europe. 'We didn't come to cause a problem. We came to save our lives,' he said. 'If you stay, you die.' European Commissioner Magnus Brunner is expected to travel to Libya this week with government representatives from Greece, Italy and Malta to push for tougher action from Libyan authorities to curb migrant departures for Europe. ___ Derek Gatopoulos contributed from Athens, Greece ___ Follow AP's global migration coverage at
