Ambassador Israel: ‘Prospects for Greek-Israeli relations are very good’

Israeli Ambassador to Greece Yossi Amrani described the prospects of Greek-Israeli relations as “very good”, praising the Greek government for its efforts to deepen ties between the two countries and stressing the importance of co-operation in the context of broader initiatives. the participation of other countries.

In an interview with the Athenian / Macedonian Agency, on the sidelines of the Thessaloniki Summit 2021, organized the previous two days by the Hellenic Industries Association (SVE) and the Delphi Economic Forum, under the auspices of the President of the Republic Katerina Iskellaro Greece’s huge contribution to regional cooperation and to balance, security and prosperity in the wider region, while also referring to the energy sector, emphasizing that “energy diversity is in the interest of national security” and emphasizing in this regard the importance of various EMGF (East Mediterranean Gas Forum), which allows Europe to strengthen relations with the Mediterranean countries, Egypt and Israel, and gives Greece “an important lever to diversify its economy to play a more important role in the European energy market and be a point of entry p Europe for the Mediterranean “.

Regarding the start of the works of the Holocaust Museum in Thessaloniki, he finds that “there is good will” from the involved parties, estimating that “it is a matter of months to see work done”. Asked if he is worried about anti-Semitism, he said that what worries him most is the lack of education, noting that “70+ years after the Holocaust, the memory of the people is very” short “and ignorance is so great.”

“Greece is a friendly country”

“I am very optimistic about the relationship between us and I would definitely praise the Greek government for its efforts to intensify, strengthen, deepen relations between the two countries,” said Mr. Amrani, noting that he sees significant progress. in all aspects of the bilateral relationship but also more broadly, at the level -for example- of the tripartite cooperation. “Greece is a friendly country, a neighboring country,” he said. two countries “.

In support of his claims, he notes that in the last 3.5 months, the Foreign Ministers of Israel and Greece have met twice in Israel, once in Brussels, once in Washington, in addition to exchanging phone calls and messages, which, as he emphasizes , is an important indication of the intimacy of the relationship. “The very fact that we can pick up the phone and discuss issues that concern one country or the other and try to help each other, this is a certain culmination (of relations) and I would praise Prime Minister Mr. Mitsotakis “to the Minister of Foreign Affairs N. Dendias, to the Minister of Defense N. Panagiotopoulos – and forgive me for not going through the entire list of government ministers”, says Mr. Amrani.

It finds “openness and goodwill” in various aspects of bilateral relations and brings examples from bilateral cooperation even in cases of emergency and crisis management. “As soon as a fire broke out in Israel, Minister G. Gerapetritis called me and offered support, we also offered support in Greece for your needs. One of the goals of the new Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection (Chr. Stylianidis) The Greek government – and I am a strong proponent of its policies on these issues – sees the region as a whole and is trying to develop a strategy that will be “Good for Greece and for other countries”, he underlines.

Greece’s contribution to regional cooperation is enormous

The Israeli ambassador to Greece also refers to the tradition of joint Israeli military exercises with Greece and other countries, citing the example of Andravida or the recent joint participation in the exercise “NEMESIS 2021” in Cyprus and underlines the role of our country in promoting peace, prosperity and security in the wider region.

“We were there (in the exercise in Cyprus), you were there, the Egyptians were there. Just imagine that, through this Greek alliance that you are promoting, the countries feel comfortable cooperating with each other. And I do not need to mention the names of the “I see a huge contribution from Greece and its good relations with Israel and the Arab countries, in order to bring more balance, security and prosperity to the region.”

He characterizes “win-win” the very close relationship of our country with the Arab world, emphasizing that “this is good for Greece, it is good for the Arab world and it is good for Israel” and adds: “I believe that through cooperation with Greece we can achieve a level of regional cooperation, such as with the EMGF (East Mediterranean Gas Forum) EMGF is a regional forum on natural gas, very popular with countries that are not necessarily Mediterranean, which “knock on the door” “They want to be admitted to the EMGF. It is a direct investment in the strategic importance of a country.”

In the interest of national security, energy independence and diversity

Regarding the energy sector in particular, the Israeli ambassador stressed that “energy independence for any country or energy diversity is in the interest of national security.” “Regional gas and energy cooperation, the EMGF, allows Europe to diversify its resources,” he said. “It allows Europe to strengthen relations with the Mediterranean countries, Egypt and Israel, and gives in Greece an important lever of diversification of its economy in order to play a more important role in the European energy market and to be an entry point in Europe for the Mediterranean energy “.

Strategic “game changer” for Israel is the “Abraham Accords”

The Israeli ambassador also makes special reference to The Abraham Accords, “a game changer strategy for Israel,” he says, outlining the broader picture of how they “opened the door “for closer cooperation.

“The ‘Abraham Accords’ have opened the door to a close relationship we have with some of the Gulf countries. It is a huge potential for Israel, it is a huge potential for the (Arabian Gulf), it is a huge potential for the region. “We see the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain moving forward and intensifying their relationship with Israel in all areas. We must not ignore the financial interests of a country like the UAE in Israel. The exchange of visits in recent months is very “The number of bilateral agreements that have been signed would be impressive,” said Amrani, who noted the UAE’s interest in one of Israel’s major ports, the port of Haifa, and the close co-operation of the Arab League. country with Greece, but also the role that the UAE can play strategically and economically in Israel, in Greece and in a direct contribution to a more stable region.

“There is good will to start work on the Holocaust Museum”

Asked if he was optimistic about the start of work on the construction of the Holocaust Museum in Thessaloniki in the near future, the Israeli ambassador said that “there is good will” from the parties involved, adding that “it is a matter of months to see work done.” .

“Being a Jew means never losing hope and being an Israeli means believing in miracles. So I would not give up hope and believe in miracles. I think there is good will,” Amrani said. “I will start by saying that there is a need for a Holocaust Memorial, a Holocaust Museum in Greece, and nowhere else but in Thessaloniki. Because this is the center of Jewish life for hundreds of years and the Holocaust tragedy is horrible everywhere, but here too There is good will on the part of the mayor (of Thessaloniki) and the president of the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki and the KISE, Mr. Saltiel. There is good will on the part of the government. The Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Pikrammenos, is leading the way. that it is a matter of months to see work being done. I am optimistic; I think I am a realist because I know how important it is for everyone. We have to overcome some difficulties. I am not saying that all the difficulties have been solved. There are some. But the direction is very clear and we are moving in the right direction. But goodwill is required from all partners. I have to say that the government fully supports that. ”

“I am worried about anti-Semitism, but more about the lack of education”

Asked if he is concerned about anti-Semitism in Greece, he said that “everyone should be concerned about anti-Semitism, not because it is an immediate threat at a particular time, but because it shows ignorance, fanaticism, lack of education”, stressing the need for education .

“Am I worried about anti-Semitism? Yes, but I am more concerned about the lack of education,” he said, noting that “the Museum, which will one day be built in Thessaloniki, would help educate and teach people about what happened.”

Source: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ