Spain and Greece in for tense talks as foreign affairs ministers meet today

Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares is scheduled to arrive in Athens where he will meet with this Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias.

Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation in various fields, on developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, the situation in North Africa, with an emphasis on Libya, and Belarus, as well as on European Union issues such as migration and EU Enlargement.

The meeting comes after the unexpected visit of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez last month to Ankara where he announced the sale of warships to Turkey, a move that angered Greece given Turkish aggression to Spain’s EU ally Greece.

The initiative by Spain, frustrated many EU countries, prompting Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias to call his Spanish counterpart and seek explanations.

“During their conversation, Foreign Minister Dendias referred to the arising issues of Greek interest,” the ministry had written at the time on social media.

“FM Albares gave clarifications and suggested his immediate visit to Athens, for full clarification of the relevant issues. His suggestion was accepted,” the tweet added.

Following their meeting today, Dendias and Albares will make joint statements to the press at approximately 18:45. Expanded talks will follow at approximately 19:10.