The important strategic relationship between Greece and Israel was reaffirmed by Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a teleconference on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of full diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Benjamin Netanyahu praised the important initiative of the Greek PM at the time, Konstantinos Mitsotakis, since the latter’s contribution facilitated a great step towards upgrading bilateral relations.
Among other things, the two leaders underlined the cooperation between the two countries in important areas. However, they also considered expanding this multifaceted relationship in areas such as tourism, security and defence, innovation, energy, trade and culture.
Particular emphasis was placed on tourism, where Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed that he expects an increase in the number of visitors from Israel, in view of the start of the tourist season in our country on June 15.
Benjamin Netanyahu noted that he has seen great interest in holidays in Greece on the part of Israeli citizens, while he has heard in news programmes that Israelis have been wondering when they will be able to leave for the Greek islands and other parts of our country.
He added that, as a first step, Israel wishes to resume flights and tourist connections with countries that are in a similar epidemiological situation, and Greece is the most obvious case. He claimed his Government was working towards that direction and expressed his hope that the whole process will soon be completed.
Israel is participating in the Smart Covid Management Group alongside Greece, namely a group of states that have successfully dealt with the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Greek Prime Minister invited his Israeli counterpart to visit our country, while Benjamin Netanyahu commented that, during his last trip to Athens, he learned that almost 1 million Israelis visit Greece every year.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis also accepted an invitation by Mr Netanyahu for the convention of the Cooperation Council between the two countries, which is to be held as soon as possible, as further reinforcement of bilateral relations is a common intention.
