In update of Strategic Bilateral Frameworkwhich provides for closer cooperation in a number of sectors, Greece and the United Kingdom advanced.

The second review of the cooperation framework after its initial recommendation at the end of 2021 was held on Tuesday in London the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexandra Papadopoulou and her EU counterpart Leo Doherty.

The two deputy ministers made special reference to the common intention to deepen cooperation in the fields of security, education, trade, while confirming that there is a mutual intention and room for wider cooperation in dealing with the networks of illegal immigrant traffickers.

The details of cooperation in the individual sectors are determined at the level of competent ministers.

Ms. Papadopoulos stated that issues of common international interest were discussed, such as the war in Ukrainethe situation in the Middle East, the Western Balkans, the Cyprus issue, as well as issues of bilateral cooperation.

“This is a close relationship with the UK, it has a long history and of course the possibility of further deepening and improvement”, he added.

He noted that it was evident the British effort to make the atmosphere of the meeting as good as possible, after the diplomatic episode in November and Rishi Sunak’s abrupt cancellation of the meeting of the prime ministers of the two countries.

She spoke of an “in-depth, very comprehensive and very substantial” discussion with her counterpart.

Ms Papadopoulos also had a meeting with Labour’s shadow undersecretary for Europe Stephen Doughty, also in a particularly heated atmosphere.