ATHENS — US Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt expressed appreciation for his meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias in a tweet on Friday, saying that they discussed the minister's recent trip to the Middle East and the outbreak of violence between Israelis and Palestinians.

"Very much appreciated the opportunity to update with Minister [Nikos Dendias] following his successful travels in the Middle East, reinforcing our common effort to support an end to violence that has tragically claimed the lives of so many Israeli and Palestinian civilians," Pyatt said in his post.

The Greek foreign ministry on Friday welcomed news of a ceasefire between the two sides in Israel and Gaza, in a post on the foreign ministry website, expressing particular thanks to Egypt for its role in bringing it about:

"We welcome the achievement of a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza, which we hope will allow for the consolidation of security and stability in the wider region.

Greece, being a European country and at the same time a country with traditional bonds with the countries of the region, actively contributes to the promotion of friendship and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East through continuous bilateral contacts with all parties, as well as through the multilateral arrangements in which it participates.

We express our particular thanks to Egypt, with which we maintain close ties of friendship and cooperation, for the catalytic role it played in achieving the ceasefire.

Finally, it is pointed out that during yesterday’s meeting with his Egyptian counterpart, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias informed that, on the order of the Prime Minister, Greece will assist Egypt with aid for the treatment of wounded from Gaza."