Michalis Georgallas

Greece's newly appointed defense minister has welcomed a de-escalation of tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, expressing hope this would lead to a "climate of trust" without directly referring to Turkey.

Defence Minister Nikos Dendias will make an official visit to Cyprus on Thursday to meet with country officials.

He will first be received by Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides at the Presidential Mansion and will later have a private meeting with the Defence Minister Michalis Georgallas. After the talks the two ministers will make statements to the press.

Cyprus will offer Ukraine technical training on landmine clearing as part of its humanitarian assistance, its defense minister said on Friday.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, who is visiting Cyprus on Friday, is set to tour areas where the training will take place.