Israel’s new ambassador to Greece, Pninat Yanay, met with Greece’s top military commander Tuesday and pledged to deepen what she called the countries’ strong strategic defense partnership.
Ms. Yanay met with Gen. Dimitrios Houpis, chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, at a time when Athens and Jerusalem are expanding military cooperation and coordinating over shared security concerns in the eastern Mediterranean.
The talks focused on defense and security cooperation based on mutual trust, common interests and a shared commitment to regional stability, according to Yanay’s account of the meeting.
“Greece is a true friend and strategic ally of Israel,” Ms. Yanay said in a statement posted online. “Together, we will continue to deepen this important cooperation and make it even stronger.”
Ms. Yanay, a lawyer with experience in diplomacy, business and strategic communications, took up her post in Athens this month.
Her appointment was presented by Israel as a sign of its intention to strengthen ties with Greece in defense, energy, tourism, investment, innovation and other areas.
The meeting followed a visit by Gen. Houpis to Israel last week, where he met his Israeli counterpart, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, and senior Israeli Defense Ministry officials.
The two countries said that visit underscored the strategic importance of their established military relationship.
Greece and Israel have developed close military links through joint exercises, training and broader defense cooperation.
Their partnership has gained added significance as tensions and security challenges persist across the eastern Mediterranean and the wider Middle East.
The ambassador’s meeting with Greece’s military leadership is expected to support continued coordination between the two countries, though neither side announced new agreements or defense contracts.