Prime Minister Antonis Samaras met with NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg in Athens yesterday (30.10). The two officials discussed all the open issues that threaten security in the wider region as well as issues related to Ukraine.

Greece spends more than 2% of its GDP on defense, despite its financial difficulties - one of four countries in NATO which spends such a high amount - Samaras said. Referring to the crisis in Syria and Iraq and the terrorist activities of the jihadists, Samaras pointed out this challenge cannot be handled only with military means and that the mechanisms of partnership and the Mediterranean dialogue should be used for this purpose.

On his part, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg thanked Greece for its "unwavering support" to the Alliance, despite the country’s economic hardship. During his visit, Stoltenberg also met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Defence Minister Dimitrios Avramopoulos.

More information: Prime Minister’s Statements (in Greek, 30.10.2014)