Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff

A key qustion is whether Apostolakis indeed has information from intelligence services about the prospect of a Turkish landing and takeover of a Greek rock islet.

'If it becomes necessary to go to war, then no one will fight by our side. Our efforts are focusing on not having to reach that point,' said the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

One of the issues on the table in the Apostolakis-Dunford talks was the Greek request for an enhanced American presence in Greece

Among the issues on the agenda of talks between General Dunford and Admiral Apostolakis were the US base in Souda, Crete, and Greece’s role as a pillar of stability in the Mediterranean, where Cyprus’ gas and oil drilling has caused heightened tensions between Nicosia and Ankara,