Barak in Greece to discuss military, financial ties

Israel’s ties with Greece have been on the rise since the fallout with Turkey in 2010 after the raid on the Mavi Marmara; Hellenic and Israeli air forces recently held a series of joint exercises.

By YAAKOV KATZ
Barak with GREECE DEFENSE MINISTER Dimitris Avramopoulos 311 (photo credit: Yiorgos Karahalis/Reuters)
Barak with GREECE DEFENSE MINISTER Dimitris Avramopoulos 311
(photo credit: Yiorgos Karahalis/Reuters)
Defense Minister Ehud Barak flew to Athens on Tuesday and said Israel was looking to boost military and economic cooperation with Greece.
Israel’s ties with Greece have been on the rise since the fallout with Turkey in 2010 after the raid on the Mavi Marmara, which resulted in the deaths of nine Turkish nationals who had attacked the Israeli commandos.
RELATED:Prime minister rules out Barak joining Likud
The Hellenic and Israeli air forces recently held a series of joint exercises – in Greece and Israel – amid bolstering economic ties.
“We anticipate the ties will continue to flourish,” Barak said following a meeting with Greek Defense Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos. “We are witnessing dramatic changes in the Middle East, the likes of which we have not seen for decades, and it is difficult to know where the changes are leading.”
Barak was also scheduled to meet Greece’s Prime Minister Lucas Papademos, President Karolos Papoulias and Chief of General Staff Gen. Michael Kostarakos.