ATHENS

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis called Tuesday for a reevaluation of the UN’s decision-making process, saying the current veto system that grants power to a select group of countries needs to be reconsidered.

During an official visit to Latvia, Gerapetritis met with his counterpart Baiba Braze to discuss shared challenges, including security, migration and the climate crisis.

Speaking at a joint press conference, Gerapetritis underscored the importance of international cooperation, especially in an era where nearly a quarter of the world is experiencing conflict or tension.

He stressed that collective efforts are essential to achieving global peace and prosperity.

Gerapetritis particularly highlighted the limitations of the UN’s current governance structure, which was established after World War II and is largely dictated by the veto powers of powerful nations.

"This veto right is granted to powerful countries. I believe the time has come to reassess the decision-making process within the UN," he said.

He also argued that the veto system has repeatedly obstructed crucial decisions in recent years, preventing the UN from responding effectively to global crises.

In addition to his call for UN reform, Gerapetritis stressed the importance of energy security as a pillar of European independence.

"I believe that without energy security, autonomy in Europe cannot be discussed. It is truly important for us to develop methods to ensure energy diversification," he said.

Gerapetritis' remarks reflected growing concerns within the European Union over energy dependence, particularly in light of geopolitical tensions and disruptions to global energy supplies.