Deputy PM Yannis Dragasakis said the Greek government is looking forward to boosting bilateral relations with Israel in 2015, speaking at a well-attended event on Friday hosted by the Israeli embassy in Athens to celebrate the country’s independence and the 25th anniversary of full diplomatic relations with Greece.

Another high-profile guest, nonagenarian former prime minister and ND honorary president Constantine Mitsotakis, stressed that “many things unite us with Israel … and lately, in fact, developments in the wider region point to an ever closer relationship.”

The reception, held at the imposing Athens Concert Hall (Megaron), was hosted by Israeli ambassador to Greece Irit Ben-Abba, with more than 900 guests from every facet of Greek society in attendance, including the military’s top brass, ministers and former ministers, religious leaders and diplomats.

Dragasakis officially represented the Greek government.

“We are looking forward, with particular interest, to the convening of the supreme council for cooperation between our two countries in 2015, which will function as a force for the further deepening of bilateral relations,” the top SYRIZA cadre and minister said. His statements were a wide departure from past comments by many leftist SYRIZA cadres, who were usually highly critical of the Israeli stance vis-à-vis the Palestinian issue.

On his part, DM Panos Kammenos reminded that a joint air force exercise between Greece and Israel is currently taking place until Tuesday.