Defense Minister Panos Kammenos and US Defense Undersecretary Christine Wormuth met to discuss cooperation between Greece and the United States. Measures to clamp down on terrorism, undocumented migration and close ties in defense were discussed.

The US reportedly welcomed Kammenos idea for an enhanced role that Greece can play in combating terrorism through the creation of a NATO air base on the isle of Karpathos as well as the existing naval base in Souda, Crete.

Kammenos also referred to the Greek initiative for the creation of a stability and security pillar through “cooperation with Egypt, Cyprus and the Middle East which are opposite to ISIS, such as the Arab Emirates, but also its extension to Bulgaria and Romania.”

The Greek side reportedly called on the US to place pressure on Turkey to stop provocations in the Aegean and hold talks on confidence-building measures.