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Defence Relations

The Defence Section within the British Embassy in Athens works on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other Government Departments to serve the interests of the UK Government in Greece.  The Section is headed by the Defence Attache, who is the British Ambassador's senior in-country advisor on defence issues.  The Defence Attache is appointed from the British Army; the post is currently occupied by Col Tony Morphet.

The primary role of the Section is to promote bilateral defence relations between the UK and Greece.  An important aspect of its work is liaising between the UK Ministry of Defence and the Hellenic Ministry of Defence as well as supporting the bilateral relationship between the armed forces.  The section facilitates bilateral Defence, Army, Navy and Air Force activity.  This involves the organisation of bilateral staff talks and bilateral and multilateral operations and exercises in which Greek and British forces take part.  Typically, these include peacekeeping missions and training exercises, bilateral as well as within the NATO and EU framework.  The aim of these activities is to reinforce the military capabilities of both countries in order to enable their continued and enhanced contribution to vital missions around the world.

Greece's key strategic position in Europe is reflected in the high volume of military traffic through its territorial waters and airspace.  The Defence Section handles requests for diplomatic clearance for British aircraft, helicopters, ships and submarines, as well as for exercises involving the British armed forces.  In past years the section has also coordinated Red Arrows training visits in Greece.

The Defence Section also handles applications from British nationals wishing to visit Greek military installations, such as journalists and reporters, and aviation enthusiasts.  The section also processes applications from military personnel planning adventure training and sailing expeditions in Greece.

Major annual events in the Defence Section calendar are the Battle of Crete commemoration held in May and Remembrance Sunday in November.