U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in Greece for discussions aimed at bolstering strategic and defense cooperation between the two nations. The visit, which commenced on Tuesday, aligns with the sixth round of the Greece-U.S. Strategic Dialogue, set to take place on Wednesday at the Greek Foreign Ministry. The agenda encompasses a wide range of topics including regional security, defense, energy, shipping, technology, trade, investment, and law enforcement.
A significant focus of the talks is expected to be defense cooperation, particularly agreements pertaining to Greece’s military capabilities. Discussions are anticipated to cover the purchase of missiles and self-protection systems for Greece’s fleet of F-35 aircraft and upgraded F-16 Viper jets. Additionally, there will be talks about support for military equipment, such as Black Hawk and MH-60R helicopters.
Beyond defense, the two countries plan to finalize agreements on various matters, including the protection of archaeological materials, collaboration between the Greek Armed Forces and the U.S. National Guard, and the mutual recognition of seafarers’ professional certificates.
Marco Rubio is also scheduled to meet with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Their discussions are likely to focus on reducing dependence on China, while expanding cooperation between Greece and the United States.