Monday, March 4 2024 20:26

ArmInfo. I consider the Armenia-Greece-Cyprus trilateral cooperation in the field of defense  successful and believe that the Armenia-Greece-France-India quadrilateral cooperation is possible. Minister of National Defence of the Hellenic Republic, Nikolaos Dendias stated on March 4 in Yerevan at a joint press conference with Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia, Suren Papikyan.

"We have established successful trilateral defense cooperation  between Armenia, Greece and Cyprus. However, there may also be other  trilateral or quadrilateral relations with France and India, with  significant countries, important powers, and very influential common  allies of Armenia and Greece," Minister Dendias said.

At the same time, he noted that in Yerevan he discussed with his  Armenian counterpart the possibilities of developing Armenian-Greek  bilateral ties within the framework of military and  military-technical cooperation, after which a program of military  cooperation for the current year was signed, which will further bring  the armed forces of the two countries closer together.

"And we have had achievements before, many representatives of the RA  Armed Forces were trained in military schools in Greece. I hope that  we will be able to accept  even more students in the coming years.    We have also planned innovative achievements in the field of  innovative defense. We have a new component of legislation that  promotes military research and innovation in Armenia. We will be very  happy if interested Armenian companies take part in this system," the  official said.

At the same time, the minister noted that Greece stands for resolving  all issues peacefully. "We are resolutely and fundamentally against  any military actions, any unilateral military actions in this region.  We believe that peace is the most important thing, therefore we  support the establishment of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan  within the framework of international law," Nikolaos Dendias said.

Speaking generally about his visit to Yerevan, the Greek official  noted that this is his third visit to Armenia as the Minister of  National Defense of Greece, adding that this meeting is a  continuation of negotiations that began in December 2023 in Athens.

"History unites us. We went through trials, our peoples suffered  together, and this established  very strong ties not only between our  countries, but also between the Armenian and Greek peoples.  Today I  will definitely visit the Genocide Memorial Complex to pray and also  consider our common future.  Our relations are conditioned not only  by the past, but also by very important circumstances, one of which  is the prosperous Armenian community in Greece, as well as the small,  but hopefully growing, Greek community in Armenia," the Greek  Minister noted.

At the same time, he drew attention to the fact that the world today  is witnessing how international agreements are being violated, UN  rules are being violated, and the entire world community must create  a common front to counter these challenges.

"We must show that we are ready to cope with the development of  conflicts. Of course, all this must be done within the framework of  international law," Greek Minister s said, adding that he is always  touched by the hospitality in Armenia.

"The warmth I receive here really touches my heart every time I come  to Yerevan. I don't think there is any other place where you can feel  the same as your home. Together we will achieve great success and  become closer, although we are already close," Nikolaos Dendias  summed up.