Direct flights from Canada to Athens will launch on April 2, said the Greek Tourism Ministry on Wednesday following a meeting between Minister Vassilis Kikilias and Canadian Ambassador Mark Allen.

Shortly after midnight on Wednesday, Italian authorities called on Greece to assist in the search and rescue (SAR) operation to locate a Canadian helicopter that is missing west of Kefalonia, in an area where Rome’s FIR is joining the Athens FIR.

The long-standing friendship of Canada and Greece within a shared value system and the prospects of deeper collaboration between the two countries were highlighted at the special event hosted by the Canadian Embassy at the Acropolis Museum's Atrium on Monday evening, on the occasion of Canada Day on July 1.