The General Director of the General Directorate of National Defence Policy and International Relations of the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence, Ambassador a.h. Michel Spinellis, in the broader context of defence diplomacy and in particular, the strengthening of bilateral defence relations between Greece and Austria, held bilateral consultations with his Austrian counterpart, Dr Arnold Kammel, following an official invitation from the latter.

These consultations followed similar ones that had taken place on 20-22 March 2024 in Chania, Crete.

The main focus of the talks was the deepening of the defence relations between the two countries, both bilaterally and within the framework of the European Union. In addition, the security situation and current geopolitical developments in the Western Balkans, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East and Ukraine were addressed.

Following the conclusion of the bilateral consultations, the Defence Policy Directors acknowledged the excellent level of defence cooperation between Greece and Austria.

The Greek delegation, on the sidelines of the above-mentioned consultations, had the opportunity to visit military facilities and services in the federal state of Styria, where they were informed about the work, mission, and the way the Austrian Armed Forces are dealing with the refugee crisis, but equally, the surveillance and safeguarding of Austria’s land borders.