The meeting held at the Pentagon between the Secretary of Defense of the United States, Lloyd Austin, and his Greek counterpart, Nikos Panagiotopoulos sent a wave of messages to those eyeing discord and tension in the East Med.
The two sides reiterated that relations between them are excellent, while they sent a common message to Turkey in order to reduce provocation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Austin and Panagiotopoulos talked about US-Greece military cooperation, as well as the developing defense partnership between the two countries for collective defense.
I met today w/ Greek 🇬🇷 MoD Panagiotopoulos to discuss efforts to support Ukraine. I told the Minister that the U.S. appreciates our bilateral defense cooperation, including U.S. use of bases in Greece. We also discussed efforts to maintain stability in the Aegean. #WeAreNATO pic.twitter.com/NRJixXB9x7
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) July 19, 2022
American appreciation
The American Minister of Defense thanked Mr. Panagiotopoulos “for Greece’s substantial support to Ukraine to defend itself against Russia’s brutal and unprovoked invasion”, while he expressed his appreciation for Greece’s hospitality at the American bases in Souda as well as at other Greek cities.
At the same time, he underlined the importance of the port of Alexandroupolis, which is now a hub for the transfer of US forces and equipment to and through NATO’s Eastern Wing.
Read more: US blockade on F-16 sale freaks out Turkish media
The Mediterranean and Turkish provocation
Turkey’s ongoing provocations in the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean were also on the table, with the American defense minister pledging to have a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart, Hulusi Akar, with the aim of reducing tension in the region.
Finally, the Defense Secretary thanked Greece for the fact that it increased its defense spending, above the limit of 2% of GDP as requested by NATO.
Latest News
Deadline for Postal Vote Registration Expires on Mon.
More than 157,000 Greek citizens had registered on the relevant online platform so far
Orthodox Palm Sunday Today; Shops Open in Greater Athens-Piraeus Area
Orthodox Holy Week begins on Monday, April 29, and ends on Sunday, Easter Sunday or Great and Holy Pascha (May 5)
Greek Retailers Remain Optimistic About Easter Shoppers’ Turnout
While stores are expected to be open on Sunday, April 28, the majority of Easter shoppers will likely do their shopping during the Holy Week, following the deposit of Easter bonuses
Europeche: Greek Apricot Production Recovers
Europeche forecasts the production will bounce back despite a slight decrease in varieties attributed to high winter temperatures
Bank of Greece (BoG): Business-Household Deposits Up 1,675bln in March 2024
In March 2024, the monthly net flow of credit to the general government was negative by 469 million euros
FT: Greece’s Economic Rebound a Balance of Growth and Poverty
Eurostat data revealed a significant 10.8% drop in Greek public debt relative to GDP in 2023, alongside a 2% economic expansion, outpacing Germany's performance.
Lavrio Port Authority Next Up for Privatization
A deadline for the submission of expressions of interest is May 14, 2024
Eurostat: Greece Records Largest Drop in Natural Gas Prices in 2nd Half of 2023
The price of electricity and natural gas in Europe was down following a substantial surge that began before the Russian invasion of Ukraine and peaked in 2022
GEK TERNA Still Considers Leveraging Concessions Portfolio as Financial Tool
President and CEO of Gek Terna George Peristeris explained the company's plans on Tuesday on the sidelines of the inauguration of sections of Greece's E65 highway
NielsenIQ: 3% Supermarket Revenue Increase in Q1
Private label products are gaining traction, comprising 25.4% of shopping basket shares, up from 24.7%