Mitsotakis and Netanyahu meet at UN to discuss defense procurement, energy, and Cyprus summit

Diplomatic meeting at United Nations headquarters

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Thursday, 24 September 2026, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. Netanyahu arrived in the United States on Thursday and traveled directly from his flight to the United Nations headquarters building, where the bilateral session with Mitsotakis was arranged as an immediate priority. Before beginning their closed-door talks, the two leaders exchanged warm greetings and embraced before gathered press photographers and television cameras. Netanyahu published an online post documenting his arrival at the United Nations complex ahead of the meeting. The bilateral session was part of a series of diplomatic discussions conducted during the opening week of the annual General Assembly general debate.

Defense procurement and regional security

During their formal discussions, Netanyahu stressed the importance of the strategic partnership between Greece and Israel for strengthening regional stability across the Eastern Mediterranean. The Israeli prime minister formally congratulated Greece on its choice of Israeli defense systems and welcomed the decision by Athens to procure Israeli military equipment for its armed forces. Both prime ministers reviewed broader regional security developments, exchanging strategic assessments on conditions in the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean basin. The conversation reflected ongoing defense cooperation between Greece and Israel, where both governments maintain regular technical exchanges, joint planning, and military ties within their bilateral security framework.

Energy cooperation and trilateral summit plans

Energy policy formed a primary focus of the discussions between Mitsotakis and Netanyahu during their session in New York. The two prime ministers reviewed existing bilateral cooperation in the energy sector and evaluated opportunities to expand joint projects across the Eastern Mediterranean. A key agenda item was advancing preparations for a new trilateral summit bringing together the leaders of Greece, Cyprus, and Israel. The three countries have developed a recurring trilateral partnership framework focused on regional energy connectivity, joint infrastructure, and Eastern Mediterranean stability. Both leaders confirmed their commitment to deepening tripartite cooperation and organizing the upcoming summit alongside their Cypriot counterparts.

Post-meeting statements and General Assembly schedule

Following the conclusion of the talks, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office issued an official statement outlining the meeting and confirming that Israel continues to promote energy cooperation with Greece both bilaterally and in international settings. The official statement pointed directly to preparations for the upcoming political summit between Israel, Greece, and Cyprus. Yair Netanyahu, the second son of the Israeli prime minister, reposted the announcement by the Prime Minister's Office on social media, captioning the post with three flag icons representing Israel, Greece, and Cyprus to draw attention to the tripartite alliance. Following the meeting with Mitsotakis, Netanyahu prepared for his scheduled address to the United Nations General Assembly, which was set for 21:00 on Thursday evening.