Greece on Monday agreed to strengthen ties with Britain, drafting a new framework to boost trade, security and digital co-operation, the National News UK reported. The framework between London and Athens aims to build “strong security and defence co-operation,” it cited UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss as saying. The agreement marks the latest in a string of defence pacts for Turkey’s regional rival Greece over the last year, with countries that include the United States, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt and France. Ankara and Athens have long been at odds over a series of disputes, including territorial rights in the Aegean Sea and over energy exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean. Tensions flared last year over exploratory drilling rights in areas in the Mediterranean, where Greece and Cyprus lay claims to their own exclusive economic zone. Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias at a webinar in London on Monday repeated his criticism of neighbouring Turkey, the National News said. Greece is looking to build partnerships with countries including Egypt, France and the UAE, the Greek official said, underlining efforts to strengthen relationships with other countries in the Middle East and North Africa, including Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq and Tunisia. In November of last year, Greece signed a foreign policy and defence agreement with the UAE. The pact also angered Turkey, a common foe to the two nations. Greece in May agreed to boost defence cooperation with Egypt, signalling increased cooperation between the countries over shared interests, which oppose those of Turkey, over potential hydrocarbon deposits in the eastern Mediterranean. In September, Greece signed a major defence pact with France that includes commitments from Athens to purchase three French warships, with an option for a fourth, in a move that was met with criticism by Ankara.
Ahval