The Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos had a meeting with his Israeli counterpart and Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Benjamin Gantz, on Thursday, 20 January 2022, in the context of his visit to Tel Aviv.

Before the meeting, the two Ministers delivered the following statements:

NIKOLAOS PANAGIOTOPOULOS: “Dear colleague, Minister Gantz, my good friend Benny,

it’s a great pleasure to be here in Israel and meet with you today. You are the Minister of Defense during my second visit in this building and, I remember, during my first visit and after the first deliberation, your predecessor is now Prime Minister, I express you my best wishes, personally.

Greece and Israel formed a strategic relationship based on strong ties of friendship and our common vision, as we aim to create a stable, secure and prosperous environment of the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean.

Our common goal is to expand and deepen the defense cooperation between Greece and Israel which has reached in recent years an exceptionally high level – let me say – a level of unprecedented development which can be measured in very tangible terms.

The defense ties between Greece and Israel have been strengthened as a result of regularly organized exercise and training. We are determined to maintain this ever-increasing momentum by also enriching an already substantial defense industrial cooperation to the mutual benefit of our countries with new activities and important projects, such as the International Flight Center in Kalamata among other projects.

With Minister Gantz we will discuss the security situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, that is a region of great strategic importance with growing prospects and opportunities for stability, growth and prosperity, as you very correctly pointed out, but also with visible challenges and threats to the nations of the region and their allies.

The failure to cope with these threats would definitely have a negative impact and consequences on the overall stability and prosperity of the region. Our meeting today provides an excellent opportunity to reaffirm our common commitment and determination to face these challenges in an effective manner.

Greece has always supported initiatives for the stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean. We have built strong alliances with Israel and other countries which share the same vision and values, always based on the respect of the rules of international law, respect of sovereignty and Sovereign rights and the principle of good neighborly relations.

I am quite confident that our defense partnership with Israel will become even stronger since it is based on the multi-faceted strategic partnership. It is a values-based strategic alliance between two Nations who share a common vision for stability, innovation, democracy and prosperity.

And let me please point out, in closing, that we do know who our friends are, why they are friends, we appreciate our friendship, we are counting on this friendship and we are always working to expand this relationship to our mutual benefits. Minister, thank you for hosting me here.”

BENJAMIN GANTZ: “Minister Nikos, my friend,

it is a pleasure to welcome you back to Israel. The bond between our countries is strategic in nature with shared interest and wide defense cooperation. Our bond is also a moral one. The young democracy of Israel shares values with the ancient democracy of Greece. Lastly, our bond is one of friendship. When summer fires break out in Greece or when the tragedy strikes the Israeli Air Force, you and I Minister are the first to pick up the phone.

The state of Israel uses Greece as a strong regional partner. As a NATO member, Greece plays a big role in maintaining security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond. We value both our bilateral Defense relations, as well as our work in trilateral framework together with our friends in Cyprus. Our cooperation in the areas of industry, force build-up, R&D, contributes to the operational advantage and the safety of both our countries. Our joint military training and strategic dialogue deepen both our professional and personal bonds.

This relationship is an asset and I am committed to further deepening and expanding our cooperation in any scenario and any Regional development. This is a time of great opportunity, but also of great challenges. I see great potential to expand cooperation with old and new friends in the region. We all share interests in energy, innovation and security, but I also see a threat that seeks to destroy all the bridges that are being built, a negative force that feeds on chaos.

During these critical weeks, Iran continues its nuclear program, and while Iranian Officials deliver educated remarks in nice suits in Vienna, their proxies continue their aggressive attacks. And just last week we saw a massive attack on the UAE. Iran double-dealing must be brought to the negotiation table. Any International effort must address both the nuclear issue, as well as the Iranian aggression.

Israel and its partners, as US leadership, will continue to defend itself and support peace and stability in the region. Against this backdrop, we will exchange perspectives on strategic issues today.

Minister, once again, I’m glad to host a close friend of Israel and close personal friend. And I look forward to a great discussion.

Thank you.”

Before the meeting, the Minister of National Defence visited the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, where he met with His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem and All Palestine Theofilos III. Afterwards, he visited the Old City of Jerusalem and he prayed in the All Holy Church of the Resurrection, where the Holy Sepulchre is located.