The importance of maintaining open channels of communication and meetings between the two sides was emphasized during the four meetings of the Secretary of Defense. Nikos Panagiotopoulos with my Turkish colleague Hulusi Akaron the sidelines of the summit of NATO defense ministers in Brussels.

At the same time, according to the statement of the Ministry of Defense, the need to create a climate of stability in the region based on international law and the rules of good neighborliness was emphasized.

According to government sources quoted by the Athens Macedonian News Agency, the meeting of the two ministers lasted 40 minutes and was held in a positive atmosphere.

According to the same sources, the Greek minister explained that tensions between the two countries cannot be reduced as long as the Turkish side continues to formulate aggressive rhetoric and threats that go so far as to question the sovereignty of Greece.

The same sources said that it was also decided to leave open a channel of communication between the two sides in order to restore dialogue based on international law and good neighborly relations, as befits NATO allies.

Defense cooperation at the Panagiotopoulos-Austin meeting

“Continued defense cooperation and the importance of regional stability” discussed the Minister of Defense, Nikos Panagiotopoulos with its American counterpart, Lloyd Austinaccording to the latter’s tweet.

In particular, Mr. Lloyd noted: “Today I met with Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos to discuss further defense cooperation and the importance of regional stability.”

Today I met with Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos to discuss ongoing defense cooperation and the importance of regional stability. pic.twitter.com/0JNSd4dSSm

— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) October 13, 2022

The agenda for Mr. Austin’s meeting with his Turkish counterpart was similar Hulusi Akar.

Today I met with Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar to discuss ongoing defense cooperation and the importance of regional stability. pic.twitter.com/XmhqGHNPxl

— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) October 13, 2022

It should be reminded that on the sidelines of the Synod, Mr. Panagiotopoulos also met yesterday with Alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

During the meeting, international and regional events were discussed, with an emphasis on Ukraine and the Eastern Mediterranean, the Defense Ministry said in a statement. According to the report, Mr. Panagiotopoulos briefed Mr. Stoltenberg on the latest developments in the aggressive rhetoric of the Turkish leadership.

He stressed that these events undermine the unity and cohesion of the Alliance, as well as security and stability in the region at a critical time. Mr. Panagiotopoulos noted that Greece’s permanent position is consultation and dialogue based on international law and the principle of good neighborliness, stressing at the same time that Greece does not accept any doubts about the sovereignty of Greece.

The Minister of National Defense also met with German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht and his French counterpart Sebastien Lecorny.