Amid shifting security and energy dynamics across Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, Athens and Washington are working to broaden the strategic scope of their partnership. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Athens for the sixth round of the Greece-US Strategic Dialogue placed defence, security, energy, technology, trade, and investment at the forefront of bilateral discussions.
The discussions unfolded against a complex international backdrop, with Greece emerging as a key US partner in the region, particularly in security and energy planning for Central and Eastern Europe.
Extended Gerapetritis-Rubio Bilateral Meeting
On Wednesday morning, Marco Rubio visited the Greek Foreign Ministry, meeting his counterpart Giorgos Gerapetritis. The bilateral session lasted approximately two hours and covered a wide range of issues concerning bilateral relations and regional and international developments.
Following the meeting, Gerapetritis highlighted the high level of Greek-US relations and the shared willingness to deepen them further.
He said Athens and Washington share a commitment to strengthening cooperation and promoting regional and international security.
Energy: Greece as a Hub for US LNG
Energy cooperation featured prominently in the talks. The Greek Foreign Minister highlighted Greece’s role as a hub for transporting US liquefied natural gas to Central and Eastern Europe.
“Energy cooperation between the two countries has reached an unprecedented level,” Gerapetritis stated, also noting the increased presence of US energy companies in Greece. In this context, he referenced investments in energy, technology, and shipyards, which he said are adding new dimensions to the economic relationship. Marco Rubio also emphasized energy cooperation, pointing to the expansion of US LNG imports and the development of new gas and electricity interconnections. He noted these developments could strengthen regional energy security and expand Greece’s role in the European energy system.
Defence: Alexandroupolis, F-16 Upgrades, and F-35 Integration
A significant part of the talks focused on defence cooperation between Greece and the United States. Gerapetritis described the Mutual Defence Cooperation Agreement as a key bilateral treaty governing relations between the two countries, while also highlighting the strategic importance of Alexandroupolis. He also referenced the upgrade of Greece’s F-16s and the integration of F-35 fighter jets into the Hellenic Air Force.
He noted that defence cooperation is not only about strengthening national defence, but is also more broadly linked to strategic cooperation and regional stability. At the opening of the Strategic Dialogue, Gerapetritis described Alexandroupolis as a prime example of Greek-US cooperation.
Rubio: ‘Greece is a Source of Stability’
Marco Rubio spoke positively about the strategic relationship, highlighting the historical and political ties linking the two nations. “The United States and Greece share a long history of friendship, cooperation and alliance,” the US Secretary of State said, noting the importance of the relationship in today’s international environment. “It is both historic and foundational, but it is also critical. It is a source of stability in an unstable world,” he added. Rubio also stressed that Greece remains an important US ally and that both countries share common views on a range of threats and challenges.
Call for Greater European Defense Responsibility
The US Secretary of State placed particular emphasis on the need for European countries to shoulder a greater share of responsibility for Europe’s defence. “The nations of Europe need to take on a greater share of the burden and defending their continent, and Greece is doing just that,” he said. This statement comes amid a broader US debate over strengthening European defence capabilities and increasing the contribution of European allies to the continent’s security.
New Dimension to Military Cooperation with Florida
During Rubio’s visit, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff and the Florida National Guard, in the presence of Defence Minister Nikos Dendias and the US Secretary of State. Dendias said the agreement adds a new dimension to military cooperation and forms part of Greece’s “Agenda 2030”. He noted that Greece seeks best practices to strengthen the operational capabilities of its armed forces and reservists, with the Florida National Guard offering opportunities for knowledge transfer, training, and experience exchange. Marco Rubio described the agreement as an expression of the depth of the historic alliance. He pointed out that the Florida National Guard has significant experience in responding to natural disasters like hurricanes, while Greece can offer expertise in earthquakes and wildfires. He said the partnership creates opportunities for interoperability and mutual learning, representing another step in building the modern Greek-US alliance.
Border Security and Counterterrorism
A significant part of the US position focused on border security. Marco Rubio described Greece as a “very close strategic partner” in tackling irregular migration, human trafficking, transnational criminal organisations, and terrorism. He also announced a new Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening information-sharing between relevant agencies in the field of counterterrorism. The US Secretary of State stressed the need to address contemporary challenges affecting Western security.
Eastern Mediterranean and Maritime Security
The two ministers discussed major international crises, from the Middle East and Ukraine to Africa and migration flows. Maritime security featured prominently on the agenda, with Gerapetritis stressing its importance for protecting international supply chains. “Maritime security is a non-negotiable condition,” he said. The Greek Foreign Minister also referenced cooperation between Greece and the United States in ensuring stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and protecting religious communities. “Our shared concern with the United States is to create and safeguard conditions of stability in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region and to protect Christian populations, as well as every other ethnic and religious community,” he stated.
Turkey in the Background of Regional Developments
Turkey remained in the background of discussions over regional balances, although Marco Rubio did not mention the country by name. The US Secretary of State referred to energy projects linked to a “very sensitive situation” involving other countries. The careful wording reflects the complex diplomatic equation in the Eastern Mediterranean, where energy projects, regional partnerships, and security issues are increasingly interconnected.
Rubio Backs Guilfoyle
During his meetings in Athens, Marco Rubio was asked to comment on a Wall Street Journal report concerning US Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle. The US Secretary of State avoided addressing the substance of the allegations, limiting his response to stating that the US embassy in Athens was doing an excellent job. He also described Guilfoyle as a strong representative of US interests, publicly reaffirming his support for the ambassador.
The Sixth Strategic Dialogue and Greece’s Role
At the opening of the sixth Greece-US Strategic Dialogue, Gerapetritis stressed the strategic importance of the bilateral relationship and Greece’s potential role in the region. He said the country’s history, regional relationships, and the influence of Hellenism allow Greece to maintain a broad network of partnerships. “This gives Greece a specific responsibility, as well as the practical ability to connect countries, facilitate dialogue and build understanding,” he stated. The Greek Foreign Minister stressed that cooperation with the United States strengthens Greece’s role and security in the region, while the Strategic Dialogue can translate into concrete and tangible action.
A Relationship With an Expanded Strategic Scope
The sixth Greece-US Strategic Dialogue reflects the breadth of a relationship that now extends beyond the traditional boundaries of defence cooperation. Energy, technology, investment, trade, border security, cultural heritage, and regional stability are now integral parts of the bilateral agenda. For Athens, strengthening ties with Washington is linked to its goal of playing a more active role in the Eastern Mediterranean and Southeastern Europe. For Washington, Greece is an important ally in a region where security, energy, maritime routes, and regional balances are becoming increasingly significant. Against this backdrop, Rubio’s visit and the sixth Strategic Dialogue reflect efforts by both sides to turn the already high level of the Greek-US relationship into even more concrete forms of cooperation, focusing on security, energy, and stability across the wider region.
