Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias, who is paying an official visit to Israel, met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday. The Greek minster underlined the "ongoing and in-depth bilateral political dialogue on all bilateral regional security issues," noting that "we are living inside a triangle of destabilization." Netanyahu, for his part, emphasized "the real commitment we have to strengthen the friendship between our two countries."

Ahead of trilateral talks between Cyprus, Greece and Israel that are expected in autumn, Kotzias added that strengthening relations between the three countries is vital to enhancing stability in the region: "We have a common interest in stability and security," he noted.

The Greek minister also discussed prospects of cooperation on security, energy and tourism with Israeli officials, noting he looked forward to mutually beneficial common projects "not only for our generation, but for the next generations" as well.

Today Kotzias is visiting Palestine, where he will meet with his counterpart Riyad Al-Maliki before scheduled talks with President Mahmoud Abbas.