“Our relations with Israel have never been better,” Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in joint statements with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in Jerusalem on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister referred to the newly-strengthened strategic alliance between the three countries. Speaking about the pandemic, he stressed the need to continue the effort to increase vaccinations and give booster shots to as many people as possible.
Mitsotakis said that they will have the opportunity to discuss the issue of climate change at the summit, adding that environmental protection is a very important issue for Greece. In this regard, he thanked the leaders of Israel and Cyprus for the assistance they provided in extinguishing the mega-fires that blazed in Greece during the summer.
He also said that they will discuss energy issues and referred to the importance of the EastMed gas forum as a mechanism of cooperation.
Regarding Turkey’s stance, he said that it, unfortunately, demonstrated “continued intransigence and unacceptable behavior, both on land and in the maritime zones of Cyprus” and stressed that any settlement in the fenced-off city of Varosha will “condemn any attempt for a mutually acceptable solution” of the Cyprus issue.
He also reiterated that the only viable solution to the Cyprus problem is one that fully respects all decisions taken by the UN Security Council and stressed that there can be no solution without the abolition of the anachronistic system of guarantees and rights of third parties to intervene in Cypriot affairs and the complete withdrawal of Turkish occupation troops from the island.
Greece hopes for more investments from Israel
Mitsotakis also referred to Greece’s post-pandemic economic recovery, noting that Greece hopes for even more Israeli investments in Greece, along with more tourism, from Israel.
This was the Greek prime minister’s first official visit after the change of political leadership in Israel.
The three leaders will also adopt a Joint Declaration, which will concern their future cooperation, as well as the importance of the 3 + 1 scheme with the participation of the US. The trilateral agenda will also include cooperation in energy, renewable energy sources and civil defense.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
