Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias made a statement about Greeks in Sudan. As he mentioned, the prime minister decided to move the Air Force planes along with the special forces personnel to Egypt so that they would be ready to be able to participate in the operation to free the Greek citizens.

“From the very beginning, the government has made the security and protection of Greek citizens in this country as its main goal,” said Mr. Dendias, adding that “on Saturday, April 15, with the outbreak of armed conflicts, it was announced that the Greeks should avoid travel to Sudan, as well as those who are in this country, be aware of what is happening there, avoid travel, observe the maximum possible security measures. On April 16, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs repeated the above instructions. The Minister of Foreign Affairs added that the crisis management unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been activated and is in constant communication with other EU member states. through the system of consular cooperation and meets twice a day with representatives of the Ministry of Defense.

He noted that he would raise the issue of the release of European citizens tomorrow at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg as a matter of priority. “Our main concern is the safety and release of Greek citizens in Sudan. The government continues constant cooperation with its partners and allies in this direction. The list of Greek citizens to be released also includes citizens of the Republic of Cyprus,” he said characteristically.

It should be noted that since the beginning of the crisis in Sudan, the Minister of National Defense, Mr. Nikos Panagiotopoulos, has been informed about the situation in the region and especially about the security of the Greek citizens who are there. In cooperation with the military leadership and any other competent authority, scenarios for the release of Greek citizens were considered, which should be carried out in conditions of absolute security. To this end, the Minister of National Defense has given similar instructions at the direction of the Prime Minister, Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Dendia turns to the Greeks of Sudan for help

It is noted that Nikos Dendias, in the context of ongoing efforts to assist the Greeks in Sudan and coordinate the efforts of a possible operation to evacuate them when conditions permit, contacted twice on Saturday with the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Joseph Borel.

Recall, Nikos Dendias held a telephone conversation with the EU High Representative on Friday after sending his letter about the “extremely alarming situation in Sudan.”

In his letter to the EU High Representative on Friday, the Foreign Minister noted his particular concern for the safety of the Greeks, including the two injured and other European citizens in Sudan, and also mentioned our country’s efforts to protect and release them. . The Minister for Foreign Affairs stressed the importance of the coordination of the EU member states and the main role of the High Representative in the context of the efforts for the immediate and safe release of the Greeks, as well as other European citizens.

In addition, he informed about the position of Greece on the need for an immediate ceasefire and a reconciliatory dialogue between all the warring parties to ensure the stability and unity of Sudan.

Finally, it emphasizes the paramount importance of Sudan’s security and territorial integrity to security in the Horn of Africa.

After talking with Josep Borel, Nikos Dendias also talked on Saturday with the US Ambassador to Greece, George Tsunis, and with the Chief of the National Defense General Staff, Konstantinos Floros. The focus was on helping the Greeks in Sudan and efforts to free them.