Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: Facebook.

JNS.org – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Greece on Wednesday to attend a third trilateral summit between Israeli, Greek and Cypriot leaders.

During his time in Greece, Netanyahu — accompanied by Science Minister Ofir Akunis, Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz, Economy Minister Eli Cohen and Environmental Protection Minister Ze’ev Elkin — was to focus on boosting “economic growth through innovation and initiatives” with the Jewish state’s Mediterranean allies, according to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.

Netanyahu was to meet with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, following Israel’s observation of a four-day international maritime exercise in Cyprus in early June. The summit also comes against the backdrop of burgeoning military ties between the three countries that signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation in January.

Further, in April, government ministers from Israel, Cyprus, Greece, Italy and the European Union signed a joint statement agreeing to collaboratively develop the world’s longest gas pipeline, running undersea between Israel and Italy. The agreement boosted Israel’s position as “a significant player in the international energy economy,” Steinitz said at the time time.