Greek, Israeli defense chiefs reach accord

Greek and Israeli defense ministers met Tuesday in Athens to discuss bilateral cooperation in defense, officials said. Talks between Dimitris Avramopoulos and Ehud Barak were conducted in a "good climate" and the two ministers established a framework for more Greek-Israeli cooperation in defense matters, Athens News reported. Meeting with reporters after the discussions, Avramopoulos called Barak's visit to Athens "important" because it reaffirmed relations between the two countries in a fast-changing region. "Our choice and commitment is a deepening of cooperation," Avramopoulos said, stressing that the effort between Greece and Israel is "pro-peace and frank, and is not aimed against anyone." Avramopoulos said Greek foreign policy goals seek to establish good relations with all its neighbors in the eastern Mediterranean basin, the News said. Barak said the two countries have a common interest in resolving issues in the region to help promote peace and stability. He also said Israel looks forward to closer relations with Greece and thanked the country's leaders for assistance in last year's devastating wildfires in Israel.