Greece and Israel have discussed expanding their bilateral relationship into the maritime sector, focusing on shipping, innovation and regional security.
Israel's new ambassador to Greece, Pninat Yanai, met with the Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, according to a social media post by the ambassador.
Yanai said the talks focused on combining Greece's maritime tradition and growing blue economy with Israel's position as a hub for innovation and technology.
She added that the combination of these capabilities could open new avenues of cooperation and further deepen the relationship between the two countries.
Alternative trade routes
The officials discussed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, or IMEC, and the importance of developing alternative trade routes.
Yanai said they talked about creating a maritime corridor connecting Greece and Israel, noting that this was particularly important during a period of major international developments.
IMEC is a planned economic network that aims to foster connectivity and economic integration between Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
Tourism and basketball
The ambassador praised Kikilias for his long-standing support for Israel and his work to strengthen tourism and air connections between the two countries during his previous tenure as Greece's tourism minister.
Yanai said Kikilias had always spoken with warmth and honesty about Israel and had long recognized the natural ties between the two peoples. She said she had no doubt Kikilias was one of the people who contributed substantially to building the strong bridge that exists between the two nations.
Kikilias, a former professional basketball player who played for the Greek national team and clubs including AEK Athens, was also thanked for his continued interest in Israeli sports.
Yanai thanked Kikilias for his long-standing friendship towards Israel, noting that he remembers almost every basketball court in her country.
She said the meeting concluded with ideas for promoting maritime connectivity, innovation and security, adding that it was now time to continue building the bridge between the two countries at sea.
