Greece and Lebanon have agreed to upgrade their diplomatic relations to a strategic partnership and establish a Supreme Cooperation Council, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced in Athens.
Speaking alongside Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at Maximos Mansion, Mitsotakis stated that Greece unconditionally supports the sovereignty and territorial unity of Lebanon, emphasizing that a strong state is an essential prerequisite for a strong country.
Maximos Mansion in central Athens serves as the official seat of the Greek prime minister. Greece, a European Union member state situated at the crossroads of Southeastern Europe and the Mediterranean, has long maintained maritime and historic ties with Lebanon, a Middle Eastern nation located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea.
Mitsotakis welcomed ongoing negotiation efforts between Lebanon and Israel mediated by the United States, adding that Greece stands ready to support any initiative aimed at de-escalation and mutual understanding. He stressed that the security of Lebanon and the security of Israel are not conflicting goals.
The Greek prime minister also highlighted a second shipment of military equipment sent from Greece to Lebanon, which included armored vehicles. He described the delivery as tangible proof that Greek solidarity with Lebanon extends beyond verbal statements.
Addressing broader regional dynamics, Mitsotakis noted a shared understanding between the two governments that the Eastern Mediterranean can be transformed from a zone of tension into an area of cooperation and connectivity. He expressed support for joint infrastructure projects and energy bridges that bring the Eastern Mediterranean closer to Europe.
Bilateral economic and security ties
President Joseph Aoun praised the relationship between Athens and Beirut, noting that their ties stretch back through history and offer an example for all neighboring countries. He stated that cooperation could expand further in areas including the economy, culture, and tourism.
Aoun added that both nations are united by shared issues such as energy, transport, and freedom in global trade. The Lebanese president emphasized that the Mediterranean Sea serves as a body of water that unites countries and has no place for extremism.
Turning to domestic challenges, Aoun stated that internal problems facing Lebanon will be resolved once occupation ends and the Lebanese army controls the entire national territory. He expressed confidence that Greece will continue supporting his country across all domains, with special reference to assistance for the Lebanese military.
The Lebanese Armed Forces represent the official military institution responsible for national defense and internal security in Lebanon. The country has repeatedly sought international assistance to strengthen state institutions and bolster military readiness.
International support and cultural heritage
Aoun stated that Lebanon looks forward to Greek support in international forums, including the United Nations and the European Union, with the goal of creating a strategic relationship between Beirut and Brussels.
As an established member of both the European Union and the United Nations, Greece regularly advocates for regional stability and acts as a diplomatic bridge between European institutions and nations in the Middle East.
The Lebanese president made special reference to the Greek Orthodox community in Lebanon, noting that it includes citizens without Greek ancestry who play a significant role in the country. He remarked that this shared heritage demonstrates how history unites the two nations for a bright future.
The Greek Orthodox community is one of Lebanon's main historical religious groups, tracing its roots in the Levant back to antiquity. Aoun also referenced the Greek poet Giorgos Seferis, who wrote in the past about how art from Beirut can reach Athens.
Giorgos Seferis was a distinguished diplomat and one of Greece's most celebrated literary figures, earning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1963. Concluding his address, Aoun proclaimed long live the relations between the two nations, long live Greece, and long live Lebanon.
