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Athens, 9 November 2022

Meeting of Greece-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group with new Ambassador of Israel to Athens

The Greece-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group received the new Ambassador of Israel Noam Katz on a formal visit. During the meeting, with wide cross-party participation, beyond the Bureau of the Greece-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group Dimitrios Kairidis (Chair), Olga Kefalogianni (Deputy Chair) and Olympia Teligioridou (Secretary), the following members were present: Konstantinos Karagounis, Dimitrios Kouvelas, Ioannis Kefalogiannis, Maria Athanasiou, Themistoklis Chimaras, Miltiadis Chrysomallis, Dionysios Stamenitis, Konstantinos Kyranakis, Savvas Chionidis and Konstantinos Bogdanos.

During the meeting, the Chairman of the Friendship Group Dimitris Kairidis emphasised the deepening of parliamentary contacts, which have recently been on a dynamic course, as indicated also by the constructive visit of the Greek parliamentary delegation to Israel last May. Inter alia, it was stressed that every contribution by the new Ambassador to Athens, in the direction of enhancing bilateral contacts, by making use of his many years of experience in public diplomacy, will prove to be of great importance, especially in the midst of a situation that requires dialogue with the civil society and contact with the wider international public opinion.

The Deputy Chair of the Friendship Group Mrs Kefalogianni, emphasising that the term of the new Ambassador coincides with a period of significant and positive developments in Greece-Israel relations, expressed the certainty that the climate of mutual understanting is expected to continue with the distinct goal of stability and progress for the countries of the region. The deputy chair noted that every scheme of strategic cooperation, such as the 3+1 scheme, as well as the establishment of an International Flight Training Centre in Kalamata, and the agreement for the construction of the East-Med pipeline, are parts of the same pillar to consolidate peace in the Eastern Mediterranean.

It was clarified that the two countries fully comply with International Law and the Law of the Sea and are against any expression of revisionist thinking and undermining of national sovereignty and integrity of states, contrary to the extreme aggressive rhetoric of neighbouring Turkey.

The Secretary of the Friendship Group, Mrs Teligioridou, noted the ongoing will for cooperation on the part of every Greek government, even when the governments of the two countries are from different political families, to the benefit of the national interests of our peoples and to strengthen regional stability. Subsequently, she argued that any violation of territorial integrity is to be condemnied, while any effort to further the peace processes finds a supporter in Greece. Inter alia, the MP praised the Israel stance regarding the war crisis, mainly regarding its choice to support the path of talks in order to avoid a cold-war climate.

The presence of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate within the State of Israel as a point of reference for Hellenism there and as a cohesive link with spiritual impact on our cultural exchanges was emphasised. The Greek delegation also expressed its satisfaction regarding Israel's commitment to support our countr's candidacy to the position of non-permanent member of the UN Security Council fro 2025-2026.

For his part, Ambassador Katz thanked the Greek delegation for the excellent cooperation, pointing out at the same time that Israel and Greece are factors of stability, peace and security in the region of the Eastern Mediterranean. He praised the positive involvement of the Municipality of Athens in the fight against antisemitism globally and did not fail to mention the need to minimise friction with neighbouring countries, but also the efforts made by our country to develop relations of friendship and cooperation with countries of the Arab world. Lastly, he noted the role that Greece could play in the process of bringing Israel closer to the European Union.