PassBlue
NEW FROM PASSBLUE:
Greece Looks to the Sea to Bridge Security Council Divisions
Damilola Banjo • May 01, 2025
Evangelos Sekeris, Greek Ambassador to the United Nations
A press briefing held by Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris of Greece, May 1, 2025.
The country is a founding member of the UN, and as rotating president this month, it will hold a special debate on maritime security, a wide-ranging topic that could unify Council members on universal matters like freedom of navigation, the envoy suggested. JOHN PENNEY/PASSBLUE
As Greece assumes the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council in May, its permanent representative to the UN, Evangelos Sekeris, told PassBlue that the country’s ambition this month is to be a “bridge builder” in a sharply divided Council.
“This is how we will approach our presidency,” Sekeris said in an interview with PassBlue on April 30, “bearing in mind the difficulties that exist in a multipolar system with a lot of conflicts and problems. It’s not easy, but we’ll try to leave our footprint acting in honesty and cooperation with all other member states.”
Although this is not a new concept for an elected member to take on, the Council is growing more apart politically on many agenda items. The war in Ukraine, which is close to home for the Greeks, initially united the West in condemnation of Russia’s full-on invasion in 2022. But with President Donald Trump now back in Washington, the longstanding trans-Atlantic ties between Europe and the United States are strained.
This new fault line between old friends has further fragmented an already divisive Security Council, prompting the emergence of an informal coalition among the five European members, or E5: Britain, France, Denmark, Greece and Slovenia.
Most profoundly so far, the group abstained from voting on the US-drafted path of peace resolution to end the war in Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2025, after the Europeans failed to amend the original document to include language on Ukraine’s sovereignty and security. Sekeris acknowledged that while these countries strive to present a somewhat unified approach on key international issues, their positions can differ.
The ambassador also acknowledged the struggle of navigating divisions among the five permanent members (Britain, China, France, US and Russia) and the increasingly diverse elected members. But he also emphasized that the Council must nevertheless function as a “collective organ.”
Countries in the Council and beyond in the UN are increasingly looking to Europe to shoulder greater responsibility in upholding the principles of the UN Charter and international law, particularly as the US advances its “America First” agenda, sidelining multilateral commitments and global governance frameworks. Similarly, in the wake of US funding cuts to the UN and other aid investments under Trump, expectations at the UN are growing for China to take on a larger financial role in supporting the organization’s humanitarian and peacekeeping operations.
It is yet to be seen whether Europe and China will take up these added responsibilities. Europe is cutting humanitarian-aid contributions globally as its members strengthen their defense budgets. China is reluctant, diplomats say, to fill the expanding finance gaps at the UN.
Daniel Forti, a senior UN analyst at the International Crisis Group think tank, noted that coordinated European positions are crucial not only for promoting the continent’s own priorities at the UN, but also for shaping how crucial global issues play out beyond European borders. While Ukraine remains the most contentious conflict for Europeans right now, it is only one of many sticking points in the 15-member Council.
The sudden shift in the US foreign policy and funding cuts threaten the core of the 80-year-old UN system, particularly its humanitarian, peacekeeping and human rights work around the world. Mandates that were once reviewed in a cooperative spirit, more or less, are now delayed with requests to reassess whether previously agreed-upon resolutions still align with a given country’s new policies. This is especially the case with the US now.
PassBlue reported this week that the annual mandate renewal of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan was extended for 10 days to allow the US more time to negotiate a draft text that is expected to include more varied language than in past renewals of UNMISS.
Greece is inheriting this process, which started under the French rotating presidency, in April, but Athens plans to use its role as an elected member to try to foster constructive dialogue in the fracturing Council, contending that its geographic and political standing — as a crossroad of west and east, north and south — enables it to hear and understand divergent views. It’s no secret, however, that the opportunity to use such diplomatic leverage is in short supply.
“It’s unquestionably harder today for elected members to bridge divides between the Council’s permanent members than in years past,” Forti said. “But even as the global body is gridlocked on major wars, it can occasionally find common ground on conflicts that are under the radar but still impact thousands of civilians. In these situations, it’s helpful to have countries that want to build bridges between world powers, even if the opportunities to do so are few and far between.”
Provisional program of work for May. A meeting on the war in Ukraine is not scheduled, but if it is requested, the Council will act, Sekeris said.
As Greece steers through these challenges, it is hoping that its seafaring skills as a nation of 6,000 islands in the Mediterranean will bear fruit in its high-level Security Council debate on maritime security. The presidency’s signature event is scheduled for May 20 and will be chaired by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Sekeris called maritime security “an issue where we can have an interesting debate,” noting its “holistic” links to global trade,
environmental concerns and freedom of navigation. “It’s not a coincidence,” he added, citing Greece’s deep maritime roots and possessing one of the largest merchant fleets in the world. (Sekeris served two years in the country’s navy.)
In a media briefing on May 1, Sekeris noted that use of the Law of the Sea treaty to settle international maritime disputes could very well be invoked in the May 20 debate and that the convention is showcased in the UN Pact for the Future.
Another priority under Greece’s presidency is the annual open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. This year, Greece will elevate the discussion to the ministerial level, with Foreign Affairs Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis expected to preside. “These thematic priorities are issues where we can find common ground, even in difficult times,” Sekeris said.
Even these conversations could be problematic for Greece if its own human rights records on maritime migration are spotlighted. A BBC investigation last year documented at least 40 alleged cases in which migrants in Greek waters were forced back out to sea, causing their deaths. The inquiry looked at cases over three years, finding at least nine where migrants died as a result of being forced out of Greek territorial waters or taken out to sea after reaching Greek islands. This migration matter involves both the maritime security and civilian protection topics that Greece is planning to highlight in May.
Notably, the Council agenda item on Cyprus — of special interest for Greece — is slated, as usual, for consideration in July.
Each month, PassBlue profiles UN ambassadors as their countries assume the Council presidency. Greece assumes the rotating presidency in May in its current two-year term that started in January. Excerpts from the interview have been edited and condensed for clarity and brevity. The interview was done before the US announced on May 1 its nominee for UN ambassador, Mike Waltz.
PassBlue: As Greece assumes the presidency of the Security Council in May, what are the country’s key priorities for the month?
Sekeris: We have six basic priorities, which we used to campaign for our candidacy.
These are:
maintenance of international peace and security;
peaceful resolution of disputes;
women, peace and security [WPS] agenda;
children in armed conflict;
climate, peace and security;
and maritime security.
The maritime security priority comes not as a coincidence because Greece is a maritime nation. A high-level open debate will take place on May 20, chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Titled “Strengthening Maritime Security through International Cooperation for Global Stability” under the item “Maintenance of international peace and security,” our signature event aims to debate the key maritime security challenges and initiate a dialogue on this matter within the UN family in a holistic way. Its main objective is to promote awareness of the complexities and seriousness of maritime security threats, including securing global supply chains and environmental aspects. Secretary-General António Guterres will be the main briefer. In addition, the president of the Union of Greek Shipowners, Melina Travlos, has also been invited to brief. We hope to have the participation of heads of government and foreign ministers.
PassBlue: How does Greece plan to shape the discussion and drive momentum on your priority issues?
Sekeris: The role of the monthly presidency is where you have to coordinate and set the agenda. On the other hand, you should act impartially; take into account all views around the table. Our prime minister and foreign minister have stated that Greece would like to aspire to play a role as a bridge builder, because we are at the crossroads of west and east, north and south. We have excellent relationships with all other member states, especially in the broader neighborhood. This is how we will approach our presidency, bearing in mind the difficulties that exist in a multipolar system with a lot of conflicts and problems. It’s not easy, but we’ll try to leave our footprint acting in honesty and cooperation with all other member states. We were elected by a huge majority of the General Assembly. So, those members are our constituency. We have to be faithful to what we have promised to deliver.
PassBlue: What does Greece hope will be its lasting contribution from the May presidency?
Sekeris: To contribute to the maintenance of peace and security. Another major issue that will fall into our presidency is this annual debate on the protection of civilians, which will happen on May 22. We will elevate it to ministerial level, and possibly chaired by our foreign minister, George Gerapetritis. This is a very important annual debate because you have the report of the secretary-general, and protection of civilians is important because you have all those conflicts around the world, and civilians are the most harmed. Civilians are noncombatants. Civilians are women and children. Civilians can be journalists, so we would like to highlight all these aspects.
PassBlue: There’s been renewed debate about the need for a woman secretary-general. Does Greece support this movement, and what is your country’s position on gender parity at the highest levels of UN leadership?
Sekeris: It’s more than evident that after eight decades of the organization and eight secretaries-general, all male, it’s high time. It’s already late, one could say. Good names are floating. Of course, it will be a difficult decision, because the permanent members will first agree. A woman secretary-general will give new impetus, will open new ways of promoting the women, peace and security agenda. This decision will fall under Greece’s participation in the Security Council. We will be happy to sit in the Council to listen or even to announce the name of a woman as the next secretary-general. [The selection process is likely to finish in 2026 for the 2027-2031 term.]
PassBlue: Some people are saying that men shouldn’t be disqualified just to create space for women. What do you say?
Sekeris: There is a strong advocacy for having the first woman, but it’s an open process. If qualified male candidates think they are able to present the candidacies, they can do it, but certainly the tide is for a woman.
PassBlue: The US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, announced his department was backing away from the women, peace and security agenda. How does this affect the continuous implementation of the agenda at the UN?
Sekeris: We are all observing what is being announced. If one big member state, which is also a permanent member, decides to change its course, that should be taken into consideration. You cannot neglect it. But on the other hand, allow me to say you should not overestimate it. Let’s see how it goes. It’s a gradual process. It is a shared commitment that always finds its way into various conversations. The past two presidencies [Denmark and France] have looked at the issue. Of course, we have to adapt, to strongly advocate, because there are many things which have been achieved under difficult circumstances and with a lot of work and advocacy in the UN and beyond, and this should not be lost.
PassBlue: What kind of coordination or solidarity exists among the 10 elected Council members and the new European countries in the Council, Denmark and Greece? How does that inform the current US-EU relationship, given all the political upheaval in the first 100 days of the new US administration?
Sekeris: Cooperation among the elected members has grown meaningfully in recent years. Although the E10 rotates every two years, elected members are increasingly working together. Greece began coordinating with Denmark, Panama, Somalia and Pakistan [new members this year] even before officially joining. Now, we collaborate regularly with the full E10. The presence of multiple EU member states this year — Greece, Denmark, Slovenia and France — has also enabled stronger European coordination. It’s not always easy to align, especially with the P5, but we aim to work constructively, not antagonistically.
PassBlue: What is the status of the UN-led informal talks between the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots?
Sekeris: There are no scheduled meetings on Cyprus of the Security Council during May and, as per usual practice, the Council will most likely convene again in July to be briefed on the latest reports of the secretary-general. However, as the Council continues to be seized on the Cyprus issue, I would reiterate our gratitude to the secretary-general for his longstanding commitment to the Cyprus issue and the search for a peaceful settlement based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as set out in relevant Security Council resolutions.
PassBlue: Before we wrap up, I have to ask about Ukraine and Gaza, two of the most pressing crises before the Council.
Sekeris: On Ukraine, the Council held discussions just yesterday [April 29]. After three years of war, the time for peace has come. Greece has supported recent efforts for peace, led by the United States, as well as the partial ceasefires regarding energy infrastructure and the Black Sea. Yet a major step towards peace would be a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire, in line with what was agreed by the United States and Ukraine in the beginning of March. We regret that Russia has not yet joined this agreement. There are signals — including from Russia — that negotiations may be possible. For European countries, this is a matter of principle: borders must not be changed by force. Any peace deal must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and the UN Charter.
In Gaza, the humanitarian situation is dire. A ceasefire must be implemented, hostages must be released and aid must flow. Unfortunately, the Council is deeply polarized on this issue, but we plan to address it during our presidency.
Greece’s ambassador to the UN: Evangelos Sekeris, 57
Since: January 2023
Education: Bachelor’s degree from the School of Political Sciences and International Relations, National University of Athens, 1995
Languages: Greek, English, French, German
His story, briefly: Sekeris was born in Marburg, Germany. He joined the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs in December 1992, after serving two years in the Greek Navy. He climbed through the MFA ranks by working in the European Affairs bureau, ultimately becoming its deputy/acting director from 2011-2015. Thereafter, he held such key regional posts as consul general in Istanbul (2015-2018); director for Russia, Ukraine and Central Asia (2018-2019); deputy permanent representative to NATO (2019-2022); and permanent representative to the UN in 2023. He is married to Maria Kazana and has three children (Kalliope, Catherine and Konstantinos).
Country Profile
Head of Government: Kyriakos Mitsotakis (Prime Minister)
Foreign Affairs Minister: George Gerapetritis
Type of Government: Unilateral parliamentary republic
Year Greece Joined the UN: 1945 (founding member)
Years in the Security Council: 1952-1953; 2005-2006; 2025-2026 (its candidacy platform)
Population: 10.4 million
Per capita CO2 emissions (tons): 5.3 tons
No comments:
Post a Comment