Minister George Gerapetritis

George Gerapetritis
Minister of Foreign Affairs

George Gerapetritis, an accomplished Greek lawyer, academic, and politician, serves as Greece’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, a position he assumed on June 27, 2023, in Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s Second Cabinet. Known for his deep understanding of law and governance, Gerapetritis has been instrumental in steering Greece’s diplomatic efforts during a dynamic period of regional and global challenges. His tenure focuses on fostering stable international relationships and advancing Greece’s role within the European Union and other international organizations.

Before taking on the foreign affairs portfolio, Gerapetritis held several key governmental roles, including Minister of State from 2019 to 2023 and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport in 2023. His career is rooted in academia, as he previously served as a professor of constitutional law at the University of Athens, where his scholarship emphasized governance, legal reforms, and human rights.

Gerapetritis’s approach as Minister of Foreign Affairs reflects a balanced blend of legal acumen and strategic diplomacy. His efforts include enhancing Greece’s ties with neighboring countries, addressing regional disputes, and participating in international conferences aimed at promoting peace and stability. Under his leadership, the ministry continues to emphasize Greece’s historical and cultural legacy while navigating contemporary global issues.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs conducts the countrys foreign policy, represents the country before other states and international organizations, participates on its behalf in international cooperation initiatives and mechanisms at the international, European and regional levels and advocates Greek interests, both public and private, abroad.

The competences of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs primarily involve:

• Representing Greece before foreign states
• Representing Greece and participating on her behalf in the United Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and other international organizations and conferences
• Representing Greece in the European Union and participating in the process of European Integration
• Safeguarding the rights and interests of the Greek State and implementing international conventions and international law
• Promoting international cooperation, security and peace, protecting human and minority rights, world solidarity in dealing with humanitarian issues through participation in international initiatives, and providing humanitarian and development aid
• Enhancing the image of Greece and of Greek culture abroad and promoting international cultural cooperation
• Informing the international community about the possibilities for economic and business cooperation with Greece
• Safeguarding the rights and interests of Greek citizens abroad and providing assistance with their administrative affairs
• Fostering closer relations between the Greek Diaspora and their homeland, and supporting them in preserving their mother tongue and their distinctive cultural identity
• Co-ordinating Greek ministries, and other authorities and agencies on issues relating to the countrys foreign relations.

The mission and competences of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are set out in detail in Articles 2 and 4, Law 2594/1998 (Gov. Gaz. A’ 62/24-3-1998).