Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, has arrived in Greece for discussions aimed at enhancing strategic and defense partnerships between the United States and Greece. This visit, which began on Tuesday, aligns with the sixth round of the Greece-US Strategic Dialogue scheduled for Wednesday at the Greek Foreign Ministry. The dialogue will encompass a broad range of topics, including regional security, defense, energy, shipping, technology, trade, investment, and law enforcement.
A significant focus of Rubio’s visit is expected to be on defense cooperation. The discussions may lead to agreements on the purchase of missiles and self-protection systems for Greece’s military aircraft, such as F-35s and upgraded F-16 Viper jets. Additionally, there will likely be talks about support for military equipment, including Black Hawk and MH-60R helicopters.
Beyond defense, the two countries are anticipated to finalize agreements on a variety of other issues. These include the handling of archaeological materials, cooperation between Greek Armed Forces and the US National Guard, and the mutual recognition of professional certificates for seafarers.
During his visit, Rubio is also expected to meet with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. A key topic of discussion will be strategies to reduce reliance on China, while simultaneously fostering deeper cooperation between Greece and the United States.