Defence Minister meets with Senator Mr. Robert Menendez

Defence Minister meets with Senator Mr. Robert Menendez

July 19, 2022

The Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos met today, Tuesday 19 July 2022, with the Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Mr. Robert Menendez.

At their meeting, the widening and deepening of the strategic relation between Greece and the US, the war in Ukraine, the security situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and the broader geopolitical security challenges were discussed.

Mr. Panagiotopoulos recognised the central role played by Mr. Menendez, regarding the widening of the bilateral Greece-US defence cooperation and the promotion of critical issues for Greece and the Greek-American community.

The Defence Minister also referred to the upgraded role of the port of Alexandroupolis, as to the support it provides to Ukraine, and the transfer of personnel and assets to NATO's east flank in particular.

Mr. Minister highlighted Turkey's provocative and infringing conduct, with overflights above Greek islands and repeated provocative statements regarding the demilitarisation of the islands, in defiance of International Law, which places strain on the region. In addition, he referred to the efforts made to reduce tension, as well as to the legislative initiative of the US House of Representatives, on the issue of sales of combat aircraft to Turkey, and upgrading of the Turkish F-16.

This morning, the Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos met with members of the Rand Corporation think tank, and today afternoon he will meet with the Chairman of the Senate Defence Committee, Senator Mr. Jack Reed, the member of the House of Representatives Defence Committee Mr. Mike Rogers, the member of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues Congressman Mr. Gus Bilirakis, and the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leaderhip Council (HALC) Mr. Endy Zemenides.