Formal visit to Lebanon The Minister of National Defense made yesterday, Nikos Dendias, at the invitation of his counterpart Michel Menasa (Michel Menassah), who welcomed him to the country’s defense ministry, in Beirut. Following the private meeting of the two ministers, bilateral talks were held between the two delegations.
It should be noted that the Pentagon, as the protothema.gr, It aims to deepen bilateral defense relations in a critical geopolitical juncture. In this context, a first framework of cooperation has been launched between Armed forces of the two countries, without, however, that there is no chance of sending Greek land forces in the country. On the contrary, in the Pentagon’s side they are examined:
· The Greek assistance in support and maintenance of materials and means of the Lebanese Armed Forces
· The inclusion of the armed forces on either side and
· Issues of broader defense cooperation.
After all, the case of Lebanese has been systematically dealing with the Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendia, who had launched the construction of closer diplomatic contacts with Beirut already in his tenure at the Foreign Ministry.
After meeting with Lebanese Defense Minister, Mr. Dendias said:
“Mr. Minister, Dear Michel, thank you for this warm welcome.
As I said in private, the atmosphere is much better here in Beirut in Lebanese and I particularly appreciate your warm hospitality and your invitation to be here today.
We had a particularly constructive debate and agreed to continue our particularly close relationships, as well as to try, as Greece, to do everything we can in the direction of the well -being and security of Lebanese and the entire region.
As I had the opportunity to tell you, this issue is high on our priorities, we are close, we are friends, neighbors and believe in the future of Lebanese. I would like to reiterate that we are welcoming the composition of the new Lebanese government of which you are a member, as well as the election of President Aun, who will accept me later.
Let me remind me that the Greek Prime Minister Mr. Mitsotakis was the first foreign leader to visit Lebanon after the ceasefire agreement, showing the importance of Lebanon to Greece.
We have agreed that Greece makes every effort to help Lebanon and in particular the Lebanese Armed Forces and we will do everything we can to strengthen our relationships, our particularly cordial relationship.
And we will continue, for our part, to promote defensive diplomacy on the basis of regional cooperation based on international law and international sea law. We think this is the best for all countries in the area.
Let me again thank you and say that we believe very much in the future of this beautiful country, Lebanon. “
During the visit, Mr. Dendias was welcomed by Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun at the Presidential Palace in Beirut, in the presence of Lebanese Defense Minister.