The defense ministers of Greece and Israel have pledged to expand already strong military and security cooperation.

Greece's Dimitris Avramopoulos and Israel's Ehud Barak announced the pledge after holding talks Tuesday in Athens.

Avramopoulos stressed that cooperation between Greece and Israel is not aimed at any other country. He said the deepening bilateral ties are part of new policies set forth by both countries for the southeastern Mediterranean.

Barak said Israeli-Greek ties have never been so close, and that both countries will continue contributing to a “stable, peaceful and prosperous” Middle East.

Barak was due to meet later Tuesday with Greek President Karolos Papoulias, as well as the Greek foreign and prime ministers.

The stronger ties between Israel and Greece come amid deteriorating Israeli relations with Turkey — Greece's traditional regional rival.

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Both of the following soundbites are in 1 file in Dalet 5.1 House Shared Tuesday . The soundbites can be heard back to back in the following order: