From the very first moment that hostilities started in Sudan, the Government set the safety and protection of Greek citizens currently in the country as its primary objective.
On Saturday, April 15, when the armed clashes started, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an announcement advising Greeks to avoid traveling to Sudan. We also recommended Greek citizens currently in the country to be informed of developments, to avoid travel, and to observe the highest possible security measures.
In a new announcement, on April 16, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the above instructions and informed about the actions it has taken to provide assistance to Greek citizens in Sudan.
Our Embassy in Cairo maintains constant contact with the local Metropolitan Savvas of Nubia, the President of the Greek Community and the Honorary Consul of Greece, as well as with the Head of the EU Delegation in Sudan.
At the same time, upon my instructions, the Crisis Management Unit (CMU) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been activated and is in constant contact with the other EU Member States through the Consular Cooperation System, and also convenes twice a day, in the morning and in the afternoon, with officials from the Ministry of National Defence in attendance.
In general, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to coordinate with the other EU member states for a possible operation to evacuate European citizens. I will raise this issue tomorrow morning at the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg as an absolute priority.
I have also held a series of contacts with senior foreign officials to assist in the evacuation of Greek citizens. I refer to:
– My contacts with Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, on April 18, and 22,
– My three contacts with the EU High Representative,
– with the French Minister of State for International Partnerships currently in Paris, Ms. Zacharopoulou, and
– with the US Ambassador in Athens, Mr. Tsunis.
A short while ago, it was decided by the Prime Minister to send Air Force aircraft, together with members of the Special Forces, to Egypt, in order to be ready to participate in an operation to evacuate Greek citizens.
I reiterate, our main concern is the safety and evacuation of the Greek citizens currently in Sudan. To this end, the Government continues to work closely with its allies and partners.
As a concluding remark, I would also like to state that the list of Greek citizens to be evacuated includes citizens of the Republic of Cyprus.