US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Greece on Tuesday to engage in talks aimed at bolstering defense and strategic cooperation between the two nations. This visit aligns with the sixth round of the Greece-US Strategic Dialogue, which is set to take place on Wednesday at Greece’s Foreign Ministry.
A central focus of the discussions will be defense collaboration, particularly agreements concerning Greece’s acquisition of missiles and self-protection systems for its F-35 aircraft and upgraded F-16 Viper jets. Additionally, the dialogue is expected to cover support for military equipment, including Black Hawk and MH-60R helicopters.
The talks will also encompass a broad range of topics such as regional security, energy, shipping, technology, trade, investment, and law enforcement. Other anticipated agreements may involve the protection of archaeological material, cooperation between the Greek Armed Forces and the US National Guard, and mutual recognition of seafarers’ professional certificates.
During his visit, Rubio is also scheduled to meet with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Their discussions are likely to address efforts to decrease reliance on China and enhance bilateral cooperation between Greece and the United States.