US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Greece on Tuesday to engage in discussions aimed at bolstering the strategic and defense partnership between the United States and Greece. This visit is notably aligned with the sixth session of the Greece-US Strategic Dialogue, which is set to take place on Wednesday at the Greek Foreign Ministry. These discussions are expected to encompass a wide range of issues, including regional security, defense, energy, shipping, technology, trade, investment, and law enforcement.
A significant focus of Rubio’s visit is expected to be defense cooperation. Both countries are anticipated to finalize agreements on the procurement of missiles and self-protection systems for Greece’s F-35 aircraft and upgraded F-16 Viper jets. Additionally, talks are likely to explore support for other military equipment, such as Black Hawk and MH-60R helicopters, further solidifying defense ties between the two nations.
The visit will also likely result in agreements on various other matters, including the protection of archaeological material, enhanced collaboration between the Greek Armed Forces and the US National Guard, and mutual recognition of seafarers’ professional certificates. These agreements aim to reinforce the strategic partnership beyond defense, fostering cooperation in other critical areas.
In addition to these discussions, Rubio is set to meet with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. One of the key topics expected to be addressed in their meeting is the effort to reduce dependency on China while simultaneously expanding the scope of cooperation between Greece and the United States. This reflects a broader geopolitical strategy to diversify alliances and strengthen bilateral relationships.