Israeli defense minister to visit Greece

The Greek Foreign Ministry has announced that the Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai will visit Athens in October or November, at a time when Greece has escalated its warnings and condemnation against the grave consequences of the Turkish-Israeli alliance on the region.

A spokesman for the Greek Defense Ministry was quoted as saying the visit is being made at a time when Greece warns Israel against establishing a military alliance with Turkey.

On Tuesday, Greek dailies reported that Greek Defense Minister Apostolos-Athanasios Tsokhatzopoulos said Israel and Greece are preparing to start a bilateral military dialogue. The papers added that this statement followed the meeting held between the Greek minister and former Israeli Premier Shimon Peres in Athens.

In his meeting with Peres, the Greek defense minister expressed the Greek government's concern over the Israeli - Turkish closeness and providing the Turks with sophisticated Israeli weapons.

Greece only recognized Israel in 1991.