April 18 2021 Israeli Defense Minister Ganz said Israel and Greece have signed a major defense cooperation order, through which Israel will enhance Greece’s military capabilities.
The defense cooperation agreement between Greece and Israel is “historic,” Reuters reported on April 19. According to the Israeli Ministry of Defence, this includes a $1.65 billion contract for the Establishment and Operation of an Air Force Pilot Training Centre for the Greek side for a period of 22 years, in accordance with the template of its air force school. In addition to specific military cooperation, the two sides have also declared their willingness to expand economic and political cooperation.
“I am confident that this will enhance the capabilities of the (Greek army) and boost the economic development of both countries,” said Israeli Defense Minister Mehman Ganz. The partnership between our two countries will continue to deepen at the defence, economic and political levels. ”
The Israeli-Greek decision was made after a meeting of foreign ministers from the United Arab Emirates, Cyprus, Israel and Greece on Friday. Greece has recently stepped up contacts with Middle Eastern countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Israel against the backdrop of a belated dispute over the demarcation of the eastern Mediterranean with Turkey.
According to media reports, Turkey sent exploration vessels in August last year to operate in disputed waters with Greece, the two countries intensified tensions.
The two sides held military exercises in the eastern Mediterranean, respectively, in both “mouth-to-mouth” and “show muscle”. Representatives of the two governments discussed issues such as the ownership of natural gas resources in the eastern Mediterranean in the Turkish city of Istanbul last December with a view to resolving disputes and building mutual trust, but no significant progress has been made in the dialogue.
