Meanwhile, Greek National Defence Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos raised the issue of the serious situation emerging in Greek-Turkish relations (“the short period of tension” as described it) with his Turkish counterpart Ismet Yilmaz, whom he met at noon today in Brussels, on the sidelines of the meeting of NATO Defence Ministers .

The armed forces and Hellenic Defence Systems (EAS) signed an 18.5-million-euro agreement late on Wednesday for the purchase of 265,000 40mm NATO-certified ammunition, for the army.

The future of Europe is the subject of a speech to be given by defense minister Dimitris Avramopoulos organized by the Harvard Law School and the Fletcher School.