DM Panayiotopoulos terms meeting with Israeli PM Netanyahu 'constructive'

Defence cooperation between Greece and Israel and issues of wider interest as well as the hydrocarbons issue were raised at the meeting between Greek National Defence Minister Panos Panayiotopoulos and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, on Wednesday.

Panayiotopoulos, who is carrying out an official visit to Israel, termed in a statement the meeting with the Israeli prime minister "constructive and very useful". "We are prepared to promote even more the good defence cooperation relations, among other things in the sector of cooperation in the production of armaments material, in joint military programmes, in joint military exercises and in other sectors," the Greek minister said.

The visit, according to the Defence minister, is part of the framework for the creation of a permanent and stable environment of security, good neighbourliness, peaceful coexistence and cooperation in the international and regional environment, "for the great national effort that the Greek people are making in this very difficult period to yield results".  "I am here in Israel to promote by order of the prime minister, Antonis Samaras,this policy, the policy of security for our country," Panayiotopoulos added..

On Thursday, the Defence minister will be meeting the alternate prime minister and Defence minister of Israel, Ehud Barak.

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY