Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Kostas Fragogiannis participates in the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Development Cooperation (Brussels, 04.05.2023)

The need for the EU to lead in decisively addressing the multiple crises – food, energy, financial – facing the international community, as well as Greece’s commitment to fully support this effort, was emphasized by Deputy Foreign Minister Kostas Fragogiannis, during the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Development Cooperation, held on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Brussels.

In his intervention regarding the consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine on partner countries and the EU’s support for Ukraine, the Deputy Minister referred to Greece’s participation in the “Team Europe” initiative to address the food crisis, as well as in the EU Solidarity Lanes to facilitate the export of agricultural products from Ukraine. Furthermore, he expressed Greece’s commitment to being present in Ukraine’s reconstruction. In this regard, he pointed out that “Greece is preparing its strategy for active participation, particularly in the construction, health, and cultural heritage protection fields, primarily in the Odessa region.”

Regarding the reform of Multilateral Development Banks, the Deputy Minister acknowledged the need for increased support for the most vulnerable countries, including through the strengthening of the banks’ financial models and financial capacity. At the same time, he conveyed Greece’s proposal for a geographical “regionalization” of the Multilateral Development Banks’ activities, aiming at a more coordinated and targeted response to the needs on a case-by-case basis.

Referring to Sudan, the Deputy Minister expressed Greece’s readiness to contribute by all means to the efforts to achieve peace and stability in the country and in the wider Horn of Africa region.

Lastly, regarding the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, Mr. Fragogiannis emphasized the importance of the EU’s continued presence in order to achieve a sustainable improvement in the country’s overall humanitarian situation.