US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Greece on Tuesday, aiming to bolster defense and strategic cooperation between the two countries. The visit marks an important moment as it coincides with the sixth round of the Greece-US Strategic Dialogue, taking place at the Greek Foreign Ministry on Wednesday. Key topics on the agenda include regional security, energy, technology, trade, and law enforcement.
A significant component of the discussions is expected to be defense cooperation. Both nations are likely to finalize agreements regarding the acquisition of missiles and self-protection systems for Greece’s F-35 aircraft and its upgraded F-16 Viper jets. Furthermore, talks are anticipated to extend to the support for military hardware, such as Black Hawk and MH-60R helicopters.
The meeting between Rubio and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is also set to address broader geopolitical concerns, particularly efforts to reduce dependence on China. This aligns with both countries’ interests in expanding their collaboration and securing a more diversified strategic partnership.
Additionally, the dialogue is expected to cover agreements on the protection of archaeological material, cooperation between the Greek Armed Forces and the US National Guard, and mutual recognition of professional certificates for seafarers. These discussions highlight the multifaceted nature of the relationship between Greece and the United States, extending beyond defense into cultural and economic cooperation.