The Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Dimitrios Choupis paid an official visit to Israel, where he met with the Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir.

The visit highlighted the strategic importance and particular significance of the well-established military relationship between Greece and Israel, reflecting the two countries’ commitment to further strengthening bilateral defence cooperation and addressing common security challenges in the wider Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East.

During their meeting, General Choupis and Lieutenant General Zamir discussed issues of mutual interest concerning defence and security, as well as the prospects for further developing military cooperation between the Hellenic Armed Forces and the IDF.

The longstanding defence relationship between Greece and Israel has developed considerably in recent years through an expanding framework of military contacts, joint training activities, exercises and exchanges of expertise. This cooperation contributes to enhancing interoperability between the two countries’ Armed Forces while reinforcing their ability to respond effectively to emerging and evolving security challenges.

The visit also underlined the broader strategic value of Greek-Israeli defence ties at a time of significant geopolitical developments across the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider region. Athens and Jerusalem maintain close defence and security relations and remain committed to promoting cooperation as an important element in supporting regional security and stability.

During his stay in Israel, the Hellenic Chief of Defence also held a series of high-level meetings with senior diplomatic and defence officials.

General Choupis met with the Ambassador of Greece to Israel, Maya Solomou, with whom he discussed matters related to bilateral relations and the current security environment.

He also met with the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defence, Major General (Res.) Amir Baram. The meeting provided an additional opportunity for discussions on bilateral defence relations and areas in which cooperation between Greece and Israel can be further strengthened.

Furthermore, General Choupis held talks with the Director of the International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT) of the Israeli Ministry of Defence, Brigadier General (Res.) Yair Kulas. SIBAT plays a central role in Israel’s international defence cooperation and relations with foreign governments and defence organisations.

The series of high-level contacts demonstrated the broad scope of the strategic defence relationship between the two countries, encompassing both military-to-military cooperation and engagement at the defence ministry level.

General Choupis was accompanied during his visit by the Greek Defence Attaché in Israel and a high-ranking delegation of officers from the Hellenic National Defence General Staff.

The visit reaffirmed the strong foundations of Greece-Israel military relations and the shared intention to continue deepening defence cooperation. Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing regional security environment, the established dialogue between the Hellenic Armed Forces and the IDF remains an important component of the wider bilateral relationship, contributing to interoperability, mutual understanding and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond.