Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias participated via a videotaped message in the online 5th Brussels Conference on supporting the future of Syria and the region, which took place under the auspices of the EU and the UN. In his intervention, the Minister pointed to the great importance of the conference in the context of the efforts to reduce the consequences of the ongoing tragedy of the Syrian people 10 years after the outbreak of the civil war. In this context, Mr. Dendias noted the extensive violations of international humanitarian law and the displacement of 7 million people within Syria’s borders and 5.6 million refugees in neighbouring countries, including Greece, which has received thousands of Syrian refugees since the very first moment of the crisis. He also underscored that there continues to be an urgent need to provide humanitarian and medical assistance, food and protection, particularly in the northern part of the country. Pointing out that Syria is still the theatre of a proxy war, the Minister underscored that this must change and that the war must cease to serve the interests of foreign powers. He also reiterated Greece’s support for the UN Special Envoy for Syria and the efforts to find a political solution that ensures the country’s territorial integrity and the security of its whole population, in accordance with the resolutions of the UN Security Council. He stressed that, at the same time, Greece remains firmly committed to promoting peace and stability in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region. Finally, the Minister stated that this year, once again, Greece will contribute in the context of the Conference in a symbolic gesture of solidarity.Read the Minister’s intervention (images/docs/anakoinoseis/2021/20210330_FMDendias_intervention_Syria.pdf). VWbyxAYHPCU,640,360