Greece and the United Kingdom have signed a new defence and security agreement, targeting closer collaboration to benefit each country’s military.
Greece’s Minister for National Defence, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, signed the Joint Vision Statement (JVS) with UK Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, on a visit to the UK.
The visit included a Guard of Honour in London and a tour of HMS Diamond, a Royal Navy destroyer at His Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth.
The JVS highlights the shared determination of Greece and the UK to work together to enhance resilience against all security threats and challenges in the Euro-Atlantic area.
To further develop the UK-Greek relationship, an annual ‘Roadmap’ outlining the defence cooperation priorities will be agreed each year.
“Greece is our long-standing NATO ally and defence partner and I am delighted to welcome Nikos Panagiotopoulos,” Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, said after the visit.
“This new joint defence and security agreement will promote greater UK-Greece collaboration and defence cooperation, helping us tackle shared security threats and challenges in the Euro-Atlantic.”
To address new threats and challenges, Greece and the UK will look to exploit new opportunities for collaboration, including enhancing the effectiveness and interoperability of the Armed Forces, and improving capabilities provided to NATO.
Building on a successful history of capability collaboration, the nations will also work together to develop innovative solutions for future equipment needs, maximising military interoperability, and reducing acquisition and support costs.
Source: UK Government.
