ATHENS – [ANA-MPA] [Photo: Office of Prime Minister]
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed the historically high level of Greek-US relations and their mutual willingness to further deepen and broaden bilateral cooperation, government sources said following their meeting in Athens on October 7.
According to the sources, cooperation covered defence and security, energy security, trade, investment, technology, shipping, education and culture.
Mitsotakis highlighted Greece’s role as a pillar of stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean and as a reliable partner and ally with a key role in the security of partners and allies at a time of major geopolitical shifts and instability in the wider region.
He also stressed that Greece has stood by its Gulf partners and reiterated the country’s commitment to security and freedom of navigation, which he said was demonstrated in practice through Greece’s participation with naval vessels in the EU’s EUNAVFOR ASPIDES operation in the Red Sea.
The two sides also exchanged views on connectivity issues and projects aimed at strengthening energy security and regional connectivity.
They discussed the latest international and regional developments, focusing on Ukraine, Iran, the Middle East and the wider Eastern Mediterranean, while also praising the role of the Greek-American community as a bridge of understanding and friendship between the two countries.
The Greek delegation included Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexandra Papadopoulou, Director of the Prime Minister’s Diplomatic Office Ambassador Ekaterini Nassika, Greece’s Ambassador to Washington Antonis Alexandridis and Director of the Prime Minister’s Office for International Strategic Planning and Communication Aristotelia Peloni.
At the start of the meeting, Mitsotakis welcomed Rubio and congratulated him on what he described as an “extremely impressive” speech, saying it had highlighted both the historic ties between Greece and the United States and the debt owed by the Western world to ancient Athens.
The prime minister recalled that Rubio had been a member of the welcoming committee when Mitsotakis addressed a joint session of the US Congress.
“I am particularly pleased that at this moment our relations, I believe, are at the highest level of all time,” Mitsotakis said.
He described Greece not only as a pillar of stability in a troubled region but also as a bridge linking Europe, the West and the United States with the Middle East, the Arab world and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
“In that sense, yes, I agree with you that we are an indispensable partner for the United States,” he said.
Mitsotakis said bilateral relations have expanded beyond their traditional political and security dimensions, with energy and connectivity now becoming increasingly important.
He pointed to Greece’s investment in infrastructure enabling the country to serve as an entry point for US liquefied natural gas into Europe and said Greece had become a provider of energy security for its northern neighbours.
He also stressed the importance of connectivity projects, the major role played by Greek shipping in transporting goods and the shared interest of Greece and the United States in safeguarding freedom of navigation.
The latter, he said, is vital to the functioning of the global economy.
Mitsotakis added that these are only some of the areas of mutual interest covered by the Strategic Dialogue and again welcomed Rubio to Athens.
Taking the floor, Rubio thanked Mitsotakis for his welcome and for the opportunity to speak at what he described as a historic location.
He said the visit reflected the historic alliance between the United States and Greece, which was not only longstanding but also deeply significant and rooted in shared culture and common values.
Rubio said bilateral ties have steadily strengthened and expanded beyond the defence and diplomatic issues on which the two countries had traditionally worked together.
The relationship now also covered the economy, trade, security, maritime rights and energy, he said.
Referring to instability in the wider region, Rubio said the United States has in Greece a strong partner and that the two countries are continuing to strengthen their relationship in a mutually beneficial way.
“I believe we can do more in the areas of the economy, energy and trade, which will benefit both the people of Greece and the people of the United States,” he said.
Rubio said one of the defining features of the bilateral partnership is that the two countries tend to agree both on the problems they face and, in most cases, on the appropriate solutions.
That common understanding, together with the strong historical ties underpinning the relationship, create broad scope for further cooperation, he added.
“I am happy to be here and I look forward to further strengthening this relationship,” Rubio said.
