“Greece is ready to take advantage of the positive climate that has been created with Turkey, so that create conditions for dialogue on the basis of course of International Law and in particular of the Law of the Sea”, the Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out on Thursday George Gerapetritisafter his meeting with Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, who is making an official visit to Athens this Thursday.

“It is clear that violence is not a solution either no answer either. And the right of the states to security must be absolutely respected” clarified the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Giorgos Gerapetritis emphasized the importance of the cooperation scheme “three plus one” (3+1) with the United States of America and the need to widen and deepen the various fields of cooperation.

He added that the goal is to further strengthen Greek-Israeli cooperation. In 2022, the volume of bilateral trade reached 1.4 billion euros.

The statements of the Minister of Foreign Affairs in detail

“I welcome today in Athens the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel. My first bond, which I accept after assuming my duties.

And I am doubly happy, because this is an Israeli Foreign Minister originally from our homeland, from Corfu.

I am happy because with this visit our common will to expand our close strategic relationship is sealed. A strategic relationship, which is 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 shared vision of consolidating peace, security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East.

We are monitoring developments in the region and are concerned by the escalation of violence. 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 absolutely respected.

Now there is a need for calmness and self-restraint from everyone, so that the crisis can be de-escalated. And I want to repeat 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.

Today we had the opportunity to discuss our growing bilateral cooperation in a wide range of sectors, from economy and investment to tourism, high technology and defence.

We certainly look forward to the further strengthening of this cooperation. In 2022, the volume of our bilateral trade reached 1.4 billion euros.

We believe that there is great scope for further promotion of our trade relations. But also for the realization of Israeli investments in Greece.

And especially in the field of energy, where Greece has taken important steps, turning the country into a reliable energy hub contributing to the diversification of European energy supply.

We referred to our cooperation in International Organizations with the Minister, and allow me to thank you, Minister, for the Israeli support of Greece’s candidacy to the UN Security Council for the period 2025-2026.


I reiterated Greece’s active support for the Abraham agreements and their further expansion, as well as for the further deepening of European Union-Israel relations, particularly through Israel’s participation in European Union programs.

We also discussed our tripartite cooperation with Cyprus and the next steps, which we can plan especially in view of the 9th Tripartite Summit in Cyprus.

We both emphasized the importance of the “three plus one” (3+1) cooperation scheme with the United States of America and the need to expand and deepen various areas of cooperation. Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the United States are states, which I believe are united, with common interests and common values.
At the same time, we found the will, Mr. Minister, to promote other forms of cooperation, such as the four-way cooperation between Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

Regarding the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, I informed my counterpart that Greece is ready to take advantage of the positive climate that has been created with Turkey, in order to create conditions for dialogue, based of course on International Law and especially on the Law of the Sea.

In addition, I had the opportunity to refer to Greece’s constant interest in preserving 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.

Honorable Mr. Minister, dear Eli, it was a great pleasure and honor to welcome you to Greece, welcome to our country.

I promise I too will contribute to tourism to Israel soon. Very soon in particular.”