Ex-minister Apostolakis hails US-Greece defense deal

The extension of a defense agreement between Athens and Washington, signed on Saturday, and increasing the US military presence around the country will help boost Greece's sense of security and modernize domestic military infrastructure, according to former defense minister Evangelos Apostolakis.
In an interview with Kathimerini's Sunday edition, Apostolakis, a former chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff (GEETHA), said the amendment to the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA) will make it easier for the Americans to deploy ships and use additional military bases in Greece when the need arises.
"Furthermore, they will be able to build or enhance existing infrastructure so it can accommodate more troops," he said.
Apostolakis said that Greece's priorities should be reorganizing its military, completing the modernization of its F-16 fighter jets...