Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias met his Portuguese counterpart, Nuno Melo, in Lisbon on Thursday, with talks focusing on deepening bilateral defense cooperation with an emphasis on unmanned systems, defense innovation, and joint research and development.

Dendias said the two sides had discussed unmanned surface vessels, unmanned underwater vehicles, unmanned aerial systems, emerging technologies, and negotiations on a security mechanism. He also cited the Portuguese production and potential Greek procurement of the Embraer C-390 transport aircraft as a concrete area of convergence.

“We confirmed once again these very strong relations and we had the opportunity to discuss the possibility of even closer cooperation on many issues,” Dendias said, adding that he was pleased to find common ground easily. “We could address modern challenges together — as friendly nations, as countries with a maritime tradition, as partners in the European Union, as allies in NATO.”

The Greek minister also raised Article 42(7) of the EU Treaty — the mutual defense clause requiring member states to assist one another in the event of an attack — saying Greece attached particular importance to strengthening and deepening discussion of that commitment within the EU framework.

Dendias paid tribute to Portugal’s seafaring history, calling its maritime tradition “enormous,” and expressed a desire to host his Portuguese counterpart in Athens for a return visit.
The two ministers also exchanged views on coordination between their ministries within the EU and NATO frameworks.

On Friday, Dendias is scheduled to visit the Center for Unmanned Vehicles Operations at the Lisbon Naval Base and the headquarters of the European Maritime Safety Agency.