Greek FM in Israel amid rising tension with Turkey

Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi welcomed his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias to Jerusalem on Thursday.

In a statement released by Israel's Foreign Ministry, the two ministers discussed "regional developments, stability and prosperity challenges in the Mediterranean region."

Neither minister commented publicly on the mounting tension between Turkey and Greece in the eastern Mediterranean, where Greek and Turkish warships are closely shadowing each other over a Turkish energy exploration bid in waters that Athens claims as its own.

Ashkenazi welcomed Greece's decision to allow Israeli tourists into the country, easing a lockdown restriction that had largely blocked tourism between the countries.

The two countries are expected to form a plan allowing Israelis to visit Greece.