Aoun Seeks Greece’s Help Over Selective Implementation of the Framework Agreement
8/31/2026 2:07:25 PM
President Joseph Aoun stressed that relations between countries are ultimately based on interests, while emphasizing that, in modern democracies, those interests stem from the will of their peoples and are ultimately aimed at achieving their well-being, progress and prosperity.
Speaking after meeting Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Aoun said: “It is true that relations between countries are based, first and foremost, on interests. But it is also true that the interests of any modern democratic state, rooted in the will of its people, must ultimately serve the well-being, progress and prosperity of that people.”
“The well-being of any people is tied to how it views its history, traditions, heritage, collective memory, identity and the values that shape its society, as well as to its aspirations for the future, its role and its mission, both in its homeland and in its surrounding region. All of this forms the identity of a people,” he added.
Aoun said this vision also applies to Lebanese-Greek relations, adding: “That is why I believe our shared interests, between Lebanon and Greece, truly go back through history, while also being shaped by our present and dictated by the needs of our future.”
“For more than 2,000 years, since the Phoenician-Greek era, we have stood together, united by the Mediterranean Sea. It unites us in matters of security, sovereignty and freedom, as well as in our broad economic interests. In ancient times, it brought us together through maritime navigation and trade. Today, it adds our partnership on issues related to energy sources, their transportation routes, points of export and markets, as well as global freedom of trade and peoples’ right to the resources and wealth of their lands.
“The Mediterranean also brought our peoples together through their creative contributions to cultural, civilizational and intellectual exchange. Today, this includes the preservation of our civilizations in the face of terrorism and the rejection of, or fear of, others, as well as addressing issues such as forced demographic changes and marine and environmental safety more broadly.
“Because it is the Mediterranean, it is, as its name suggests, a sea that brings people together rather than separates them. Its societies have therefore long been environments of moderation, in climate as well as in social and political life. They neither accept extremism nor tolerate unilateralism.
“We are of this sea and, like it, we see ourselves, and our bilateral relations, as a model that is open to all our neighbors and to everyone who seeks peace and prosperity, without exclusion, marginalization, unilateralism or domination. We believe that our relationship with any neighbor or friend is a gateway to similar relations with all neighbors and friends, without exception, based on the sovereignty of our country and mutual respect, and with the aim of achieving the greatest good for all our peoples.”
Aoun added: “It is an honor to visit you today, and I am ambitious, and confident in that ambition, for your continued support for Lebanon across various fields. I look forward to your continued support for the Lebanese Army and our legitimate armed forces, which we have entrusted with the mission of rescuing Lebanon from its two longstanding and interconnected crises: the continued occupation of our territory and the presence of weapons outside the authority of our state.
“This situation persisted for decades, until we decided that the only possible solution was to address both issues simultaneously, in parallel and in tandem: a complete withdrawal of the occupation and full control by our armed forces alone over all of our territory.”
Speaking after meeting Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Aoun said: “It is true that relations between countries are based, first and foremost, on interests. But it is also true that the interests of any modern democratic state, rooted in the will of its people, must ultimately serve the well-being, progress and prosperity of that people.”
“The well-being of any people is tied to how it views its history, traditions, heritage, collective memory, identity and the values that shape its society, as well as to its aspirations for the future, its role and its mission, both in its homeland and in its surrounding region. All of this forms the identity of a people,” he added.
Aoun said this vision also applies to Lebanese-Greek relations, adding: “That is why I believe our shared interests, between Lebanon and Greece, truly go back through history, while also being shaped by our present and dictated by the needs of our future.”
“For more than 2,000 years, since the Phoenician-Greek era, we have stood together, united by the Mediterranean Sea. It unites us in matters of security, sovereignty and freedom, as well as in our broad economic interests. In ancient times, it brought us together through maritime navigation and trade. Today, it adds our partnership on issues related to energy sources, their transportation routes, points of export and markets, as well as global freedom of trade and peoples’ right to the resources and wealth of their lands.
“The Mediterranean also brought our peoples together through their creative contributions to cultural, civilizational and intellectual exchange. Today, this includes the preservation of our civilizations in the face of terrorism and the rejection of, or fear of, others, as well as addressing issues such as forced demographic changes and marine and environmental safety more broadly.
“Because it is the Mediterranean, it is, as its name suggests, a sea that brings people together rather than separates them. Its societies have therefore long been environments of moderation, in climate as well as in social and political life. They neither accept extremism nor tolerate unilateralism.
“We are of this sea and, like it, we see ourselves, and our bilateral relations, as a model that is open to all our neighbors and to everyone who seeks peace and prosperity, without exclusion, marginalization, unilateralism or domination. We believe that our relationship with any neighbor or friend is a gateway to similar relations with all neighbors and friends, without exception, based on the sovereignty of our country and mutual respect, and with the aim of achieving the greatest good for all our peoples.”
Aoun added: “It is an honor to visit you today, and I am ambitious, and confident in that ambition, for your continued support for Lebanon across various fields. I look forward to your continued support for the Lebanese Army and our legitimate armed forces, which we have entrusted with the mission of rescuing Lebanon from its two longstanding and interconnected crises: the continued occupation of our territory and the presence of weapons outside the authority of our state.
“This situation persisted for decades, until we decided that the only possible solution was to address both issues simultaneously, in parallel and in tandem: a complete withdrawal of the occupation and full control by our armed forces alone over all of our territory.”