In the context of his official visit to Australia, the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikolaos Hardalias, met with the Premier of South Australia, Mr. Peter Malinauskas, at the Premier’s Office in Adelaide.

During the foregoing meeting, which was held in a cordial climate, Messrs. Hardalias and Malinauskas confirmed the strong and tight friendship so far established between both countries, which is founded both on their common fights and sacrifices to safeguard the values of Peace, Freedom and Democracy, as well as on the dynamic presence of the large Greek Diaspora.

Issues of mutual interest were discussed, with special emphasis placed on the bilateral relations between Greece and Australia, the prospects and capabilities regarding their further enhancement in multiple areas, such as the cooperation in Defence and Defence Industry, health safety, the handling of hybrid threats and emerging technologies.

Furthermore, views were exchanged on matters that are of concern to the Greek Diaspora: the Turkish revisionism and the provocations faced by Greece in the Aegean Sea, the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean, the Greek response via Diplomacy, bilateral and multilateral agreements, and the enhancement of its Armed Forces’ capabilities, as well as the war in Ukraine and its repercussions for global security, peace and stability.

The meeting was also attended by the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and (Minister) for Energy and Mining, Mr. Tom Koutsantonis, the Consul General of Greece in Adelaide, Mr. George Psiachas, and the Greek Defence Attaché, Colonel Ioannis Fasianos.