# Greek foreign minister warns Europe, US to keep a close eye on Syria regime

## Religious slaughter in Syria shows need for US, Europe to 'keep a close eye' on Islamist regime: Greek FM

**By Morgan Phillips**  
**Fox News**  
**Published March 10, 2025 1:55pm EDT**

### Featured Video
- **Title:** Greek foreign minister warns Europe, US to keep a close eye on Syria regime
- **Description:** Greek Foreign Minister Giorgios Gerapetritis warned the U.S. to keep a close eye on the new Syrian regime, expressed concerns about Turkish incursions and boasted of Greece's new alliance with India as a way to counter China.

Syria's bloodiest internal clash since Bashar al-Assad's ouster broke out over the weekend.

With hundreds left dead over the weekend under Syria’s new regime, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgios Gerapetritis warned the U.S. to keep a close eye on the ruling Islamist group that is working to gain acceptance by the West.

Syria contains a sizable population of Orthodox Christians, and Gerapetritis insisted the international community demand religious minorities be included in governance, or else leave sanctions in place.

"All ethnic and religious minorities should be included in the governance, rule of law," he told Fox News Digital in an interview conducted last week prior to the weekend's violence.

>The release of sanctions should take place mostly on a gradual basis. We need to see how it goes," he went on, adding that any lifting of sanctions should be "reversible."

>Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham was founded as an al Qaeda offshoot but broke away from the group in 2016. In December, the Biden administration lifted a $10 million bounty on the head of al-Sharaa.

The group has been trying to shake its extremist reputation and terrorist designation, with a smooth-talking al-Sharaa claiming he does not want Syria to become the next Afghanistan and he believes in education for women.

>**BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION SEEKS TO REIN IN ERDOGAN'S TURKEY OVER TIES TO US FOES**

Gerapetritis also expressed "concern" about Turkey’s Blue Homeland Doctrine, which has prompted incursions into Greek waters. The expression refers to Turkey’s maritime claims over large portions of the eastern Mediterranean Sea, in large part spurred by large deposits of natural gas off the coast of Cyprus.

"We are concerned, you know, the Blue Homeland doctrine is a doctrine that goes against international law," he said. "Greece has abided by international law, especially international law of the seas."

Gerapetritis said relations between Greece and Turkey had improved in recent years – Turkish incursions of Greek airspace had "minimized" and the two countries had coordinated on tackling illegal immigration.



_**Syrian army personnel head toward Latakia to join the fight against the forces linked to Syria's ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, in Aleppo, Syria, March 7, 2025.**  
(Techniques Shen/AFP via Getty Images)_

>There must be a major step concerning the limitation of maritime zones. We’re not still there," he said.

Greece and Turkey, both members of NATO, have had tensions for decades, though relations have improved in recent years.

"I have to emphasize the fact that Greece is a pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the broader region."

The foreign minister also boasted of Greece’s growing relationship with India, and views his nation as a gateway for India’s planned Middle East-Europe corridor.



_People protest against the killing of civilians and security forces linked to Syria's new rulers, at Marjeh Square, in Damascus, March 9, 2025. (Reuters/Khalil Ashawi)_

He framed it as a way to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative, where the CCP seeks access and influence across the globe by financing development and trade projects.

>This major, plan is, I think, an excellent project," said Gerapetritis. "In order to diversify the routes concerning transport, concerning data, concerning energy. We are very like-minded with the United States when it comes to foreign and security policy."

China had swept in to help Greece financially during its public debt crisis, with Chinese companies investing billions in the nation at a time when most investors were spooked by its debt defaults. Now, Greece appears to be pulling away from that influence.

"It is our firm conviction that we need to develop alternative cooperation and alternative trade routes ."

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