Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met this afternoon with the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu.
During their meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed the strategic relationship between Greece and Israel and discussed the further deepening of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the field of defence.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Benjamin Netanyahu exchanged views on regional developments, with emphasis on the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as on the challenges in Syria, Lebanon and the Red Sea.
The Prime Minister underlined the importance of connectivity and energy projects of common interest for the stability of the region.
Regarding Lebanon, Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed the importance of stability in the country and the maintenance of the ceasefire in southern Lebanon.
He also pointed out the need for the release of hostages and the cessation of Israeli operations in Gaza.
At the beginning of their meeting, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Mr. Netanyahu had the following dialogue:
Benjamin Netanyahu: Welcome, Prime Minister Mitsotakis, my good friend, Kyriakos. This is two blue and white that meet. We’re two ancient peoples. Our free civilizations started in Athens and Jerusalem. We have common values, and we share a common interest today, and also common challenges. I think that we face many opportunities. I look forward to discussing with you.
You’re changing Greece’s economy. We went through a similar process. Our ties are constantly increasing. I know of many Israelis that are going to Greece, investing in Greece, which is a vote of confidence. I look forward to having this opportunity to discuss the security challenges, the economic opportunities, and the ways that we can increase the chances for a lasting peace in our region, something that I know that you want.
From one democracy in the Eastern Mediterranean to another democracy in the Eastern Mediterranean, welcome, friend.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Well, thank you, Prime Minister. Always a pleasure to be here and to discuss with you. This is a strategic partnership that has significant depth, as you pointed out. There are many security challenges that we need to address in order to return our common region to a state of peace.
We do want to focus also on our economic cooperation, but also on our defence cooperation, which is particularly important to us in Greece. I’m really looking forward to the discussion that we will have. We always have very frank and open interactions. Thank you so much for receiving me in Jerusalem today.
