Greek Defense Minister To Visit Russia On October 29 - Ministry

Greek Minister of National Defense Panos Kammenos will pay a visit to Russia on October 29, the ministry told Sputnik on Tuesday.

ATHENS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2018) Greek Minister of National Defense Panos Kammenos will pay a visit to Russia on October 29, the ministry told Sputnik on Tuesday.

The agenda is expected to include the issue of maintenance of Russian-made military equipment in service with the Greek armed forces.

Greece has so far been the only NATO member state that has Russian-made S-300 missile systems in service. The Greek armed forces have other Russian weapons in service, including landing craft air cushion ships and anti-tank missile systems.

Earlier, Kammenos said that Greece, despite being a NATO member, was not hostile toward Russia and in contrast believed that improved Russia-US relations would be only to the benefit of Athens. He also noted that Russian-made weapons in service with the Greek armed forces ensure the security of the island of Crete, including Souda Bay, where a US military base is located.

Kammenos' trip will come a month before Alexis Tsipras' visit to Russia slated for December.