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Blinken, Greek PM discuss boosting defense cooperation

Mitsotakis and Blinken exchanged views on developments in Ukraine

ATHENS, January 6. /TASS/. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has assured Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis that bilateral defense cooperation will continue to expand, the office of the Greek prime minister said.

At their meeting on the island of Crete, Blinken and Mitsotakis discussed the status of Greek-US relations, the office said in a statement.

"It was reaffirmed that against the backdrop of their excellent level, further positive steps in the field of defense cooperation will be implemented in the upcoming period," the statement said.

"In addition, the prime minister and the secretary of state exchanged views on international and regional issues with a focus on developments in the Middle East. Mitsotakis expressed growing concern over the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the risks that the crisis will widen, with all the implications for regional stability and security. The prime minister reiterated the need for unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza and emphasized that the solution can only be a political one, based on the two-state principle in accordance with UN resolutions," the statement said.

Mitsotakis and Blinken exchanged views on developments in Ukraine.

"The US secretary of state expressed gratitude for the support Greece has provided to Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict. The situation in the Eastern Mediterranean was also discussed. The prime minister reaffirmed Greece's firm and long-term position in favor of peaceful resolution of disputes and development of good neighborly relations based on international law and principles that ensure regional stability and security," the statement said.

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United States Greece Antony Blinken

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