The Minister of National Defence Dimitris Avramopoulos arrived in the early hours today (2:20 GMT) in Washington for an official visit, after the invitation of his American counterpart Chuck Cheigkel (Chuck Hagel) .The meeting between the two ministers is scheduled for tonight at 20:45 GMT.

According to sources, during the meeting the two men are expected to discuss, among other things, issues relating to the participation of the Armed Forces in peacekeeping missions since the stabilizing role played by Greece in the wider region. In this context, Mr. Avramopoulos will present events, initiatives and movements of the Greek government to move towards peace consolidation of a climate of security and stability in the south-eastern Mediterranean and Middle East.

According to the same information source, it is not excluded also to discuss issues relating to the improvement of bilateral cooperation between Greece-US defense and military sector. In this part of the update program to provide free surplus defense material to the US Greece, retrofitting and upgrading of which will be through the Greek defense industry. It is obvious that in this direction “will seek fair share of the country in the use of modern technological tools and facilities’ .

Once again, the same sources observed that , such a development would create more positive outlook for investment in the country, for the implementation and dissemination of industrial cogeneration for knowledge transfer, to create centers of excellence for research and organization and the creation of service centers at regional level.

Finally, the visit of the Minister of National Defense in Washington coincides with the deployment of United States seeking cooperation from allies to deal with the situation in Iraq and Syria, on the occasion of the beheading of American journalist James Foley from jihadists.