By Amr Gohar
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis opened the sixth U.S.-Greece Strategic Dialogue, pledging to deepen cooperation on defense, energy, economic security, critical minerals and regional stability as conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East continue to reshape the security environment.
According to a State Department press release, Rubio described Greece as an “indispensable NATO Ally” and a key pillar of stability for the United States in the Eastern Mediterranean. He highlighted Greece’s decision to join the U.S. National Guard State Partnership Program with the Florida National Guard, while the two countries also advanced an Economic Security Declaration aimed at strengthening secure supply chains and cooperation on critical minerals. Rubio said the partnership has become increasingly important amid the Russia-Ukraine war and instability stretching from the Middle East to the Red Sea.
Energy was also a major focus of the talks, with Rubio saying expansion of the Vertical Gas Corridor has strengthened Greece’s position as a secure European energy hub while facilitating increased U.S. LNG exports to Europe. Gerapetritis said bilateral relations have reached unprecedented levels, pointing to growing cooperation in defense, the strategic port of Alexandroupolis, maritime security, technology investment and energy infrastructure. Both officials said the strategic partnership will continue expanding as Washington and Athens confront shared security and economic challenges.
The State Department’s earlier official material also describes the Strategic Dialogue as a framework for expanding U.S.-Greek cooperation across regional security, defense and energy issues.
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