“Greece is ready to take advantage of the positive climate that has been created with Turkey, so that they are formed dialogue conditions on the basis of course of International Law and especially of the Law of the Sea”, emphasized the foreign minister George Gerapetritis, after his meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohenwho is making an official visit to Athens today.

As Mr. Gerapetritis pointed out, with today’s visit of his Israeli counterpart, “seals our common will to expand our close strategic relationship, a strategic relationship based on common constants and values, such as the fight against anti-Semitism, the strong bonds of friendship between the two peoples, as well as our common vision of consolidating of peace, security and stability in Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East».

“We are monitoring the developments in the region and are concerned about the escalation of violence,” emphasized and added: “We condemn terrorism in all its forms. It is clear that violence is neither a solution nor an answer and the right of states to security must be fully respected.”

“Now there is a need for calm and self-restraint to prevail from everyone in order to de-escalate the crisis”, noted, while repeating Greece’s well-known position “in favor of a mutually acceptable solution to the Palestinian issue, as we believe that this would serve the interests of both sides and peoples.”

“Increasing bilateral cooperation in a wide range of sectors, from economy and investment to tourism, high technology and defense, was discussed. We look forward to further strengthening this cooperation”pointed out.

He recalled that in 2022 the volume of bilateral trade reached 1.4 billion euros, adding that there is great scope for further promoting our trade relations, but also for the realization of Israeli investments in Greece.

In the energy sector in particular, he characteristically stated that “Greece has taken important steps that transform the country into a reliable energy hub contributing to the diversification of the European energy supply”.

Cooperation in international organizations was also discussed with Mr. Gerapetritis thanking for the Israeli support of Greece’s candidacy to the UN Security Council for 2025-26.

He also reiterated Greece’s active support for the Abraham agreements and their further expansion, but also for the further deepening of EU-Israel relations, especially through Israel’s participation in EU programs.

They were still on the agenda the tripartite cooperation with Cyprus and the next steps that can be planned especially in view of the 9th tripartite summit in Cyprus.

“We both emphasized the importance of the 3+1 cooperation scheme with the US and the need to expand and deepen various areas of cooperation. Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the USA are states that I believe are united by common interests and common values”he emphasized and added:

“We found the will to promote other forms of cooperation, such as Greece-Cyprus, Israel and the UAE.”

Mentioned end to “Greece’s constant interest in maintaining the multi-religious and multicultural character of the Holy Land and the protection of the privileges and protection of the property of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem”.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry: “We support the sovereign rights and territorial integrity of Greece”

“Israel supports the sovereign rights and territorial integrity of Greece”for his part, the Israeli Foreign Minister emphasized, Eli Cohen.

As he pointed out, “the tripartite relationship between Israel-Greece and Cyprus is extremely important and is a source of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean”.

Mr. Cohen noted that he is honored to be the first foreign minister to visit Athens so soon after taking office and added that this underscores the important and strategic relations between the countries.

“The strong relations between our countries are solid and growing. Our countries have common values ​​of freedom, democracy and our relationship is based on them and on the importance of stability and prosperity in our region.”

He underlined the political and military cooperation of the two countries and noted that they intend to proceed with the deepening of their defense cooperation.

“Israel is particularly interested in maintaining and expanding our long-term defense interests and promoting trade and technology relations.”

In the field of tourism, he noted that there are over 100 flights a week to Greece and over 1.3 million visitors a year. “And my own family will be part of those visitors who will visit the country to enjoy its beauty and history,” he added.

He also referred to the innovation center being built in Thessaloniki, which he started when he was Minister of Economy, and emphasized Israel’s desire to expand the relationship to other areas as well.

Referring to the military operation in Jenin, he cited Israel’s position, noting: “We must make it clear that we are not at war with the Palestinians, but with the terrorist organizations, which are fully funded by Iran.”

“We have targeted 11 terrorists and not a single civilian has lost their life during our operations. We put a lot of effort into achieving this […] Iran is the #1 financier of terrorism and we want to cooperate with the Greek intelligence service to prevent any terrorist acts”, he noted and concluded: “We will cooperate for the security of the region and our peoples”.

Finally, he underlined the importance of the Abraham agreements and referred to the opportunity for Greece’s participation in them, in the joint project that will concern energy and connectivity.