German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is visiting Greece today for talks expected to focus on closer defence cooperation between the two countries, the deepening of their economic relations, as well as the future enlargement of the European Union.

Johann Wadephul is scheduled to meet in Athens with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis.

The security of the Strait of Hormuz is also expected to be discussed, according to the German Press Agency.

Before his departure, Johann Wadephul praised Greece, a partner of Germany in the EU and NATO, describing it as a “strategic reference point” in southeastern Europe and noting that Greece and Germany are drawing closer in an increasingly difficult world.

The German Foreign Minister also aims to deepen defence cooperation, including through joint procurement of military equipment and the use of European funding.

During his one-day visit, Johann Wadephul also plans to visit the Skaramangas shipyards, the largest in the eastern Mediterranean. The German company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems recently reached an agreement with the shipyards for the modernisation of four submarines.

The talks are also expected to cover EU enlargement, as six Western Balkan countries and Ukraine seek accession. Johann Wadephul stated that these countries must be offered “credible prospects” of membership and added that Greece will have a special role when it assumes the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2027.