Greek PM Mitsotakis Calls at UN Security Council for Global Maritime Truce: Attacks on Civilian Merchant Ships Are Unacceptable
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called on October 29 for a global maritime truce during a high-level UN Security Council debate, saying attacks on civilian merchant vessels are 'completely unacceptable' and that merchant ships must be able to sail safely and freely even in times of conflict. Mitsotakis chaired the debate himself; its theme was emerging technologies and maritime security.
Mitsotakis said disruptions to freedom of navigation push up shipping and insurance costs, unsettle global markets and are ultimately passed on to consumers. Greece holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council for October 2026, and the debate was a signature event of its presidency.
According to the concept note Greece circulated to the Council, the emerging-technology topics before the debate include autonomous and remotely operated systems, drones and uncrewed surface vessels, advanced sensing and cyber technologies. Greece is one of the world's leading shipping nations, and the safety of merchant shipping is directly tied to its economy.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 希腊总理基里亚科斯·米佐塔基斯（资料图）。Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (file photo). CC BY 4.0，Yorgos Karahalis摄，经Wikimedia Commons / photo by Yorgos Karahalis, via Wikimedia Commons.
