Relations between Greece and Israel will continue to develop and bloom “regardless of any other developments in the region,” states Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Yair Lapid in an exclusive interview with Kathimerini. Lapid describes Greek-Israeli relations as “a values-based strategic alliance between two nations who share values and a vision for stability, innovation, democracy, and prosperity.”
When asked about the possibility of a rapprochement between Israel and Turkey, Lapid says that his country “certainly hopes to constructively engage with countries who show a desire to play a positive role in promoting prosperity and stability,” and states that the Israeli government is exploring the possibility. He does stress, however, that improved relations between Israel and any third country will never come at the expense of its bonds with Greece, which Lapid called “strategic.”
The Israeli minister also talks about the prospects created for the Middle East by the Abraham Accords. He highlights that the deals have allowed for a “new reality to emerge in the Middle East.” He also refers to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran’s nuclear capabilities, and firmly states that “Iran can never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapons capability.” In fact, Lapid uses the occasion to thank Greece for its contributions in favor of establishing tighter monitoring by the Board of Governors at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The minister also argues that despite its strategic pivot toward the Pacific, the United States will maintain a presence in the Mediterranean, citing the 3+1 (Greece, Israel, Cyprus, and the US) framework as an example and stressing that relations between the US and Israel remain the cornerstone for stability in the Middle East.
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