In the context of his ongoing official visit to Australia, the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikolaos Hardalias, met today with the Secretary for the Department of Defence of Australia, Mr. Greg Moriarty and the Vice Chief of the Defence Force of Australia, Vice Admiral David Johnston. The said meeting was held at the Department of Defence premises at Canberra.

The talks, which were held in a cordial climate, focused on matters of mutual interest, with special emphasis placed on bilateral cooperation in the areas of military training via the development and implementation of joint programs, which will be attended by both countries’ Armed Forces Officers and Military Academy cadets.

Furthermore, views were exchanged on international and regional developments, with emphasis placed on Ukraine and the Eastern Mediterranean region.

In the context of his meetings with the Greek community of Canberra, the Deputy Minister of National Defence participated in the working lunch hosted by the entrepreneur, Mr. Dinos Nikias, alien of Hellenic descent. The working lunch was also attended by the Ambassador of Greece in Australia, Mr. Georges Papacostas, the Ambassador and High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, Mr. Antonios Sammoutis, the Greek Defence Attaché, Colonel Ioannis Fasianos, the President of the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra, Mr. Ioannis Loukadelis, the President of the Pan-Australian Justice for Cyprus Coordinating Committee and President of the Cypriot Community, Ms. Georgia Alexandrou, acclaimed entrepreneurs of the Greek Diaspora in Canberra and others.