Greek, Israeli Defense Ministers Meet, Discuss Expanding Military Cooperation

Defense Minister Ehud Barak met with his Greek counterpart Dimitris Avramopoulos in Athens to discuss increasing military, security, and economic cooperation between Israel and Greece.

The meeting comes in the wake of a series of joint exercises between the Hellenic and Israeli air forces, and is another indication that Israel has shifted substantial focus and resources away from its deteriorating relationship with Turkey and towards its regional rival, Greece.

Following the meeting, Barak said Israeli-Greek ties have never been so close, and that “we anticipate that the ties will continue to flourish.”