U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Greece on Tuesday to engage in discussions aimed at deepening defense and strategic cooperation between the two nations. This visit is set against the backdrop of the sixth round of the Greece-U.S. Strategic Dialogue, scheduled for Wednesday at the Greek Foreign Ministry. The talks are expected to encompass a wide range of topics, including regional security, energy, shipping, technology, trade, investment, and law enforcement.
Defense cooperation is anticipated to be a significant focus of the discussions. Key agreements are expected to involve Greece’s acquisition of missiles and self-protection systems for its F-35 aircraft and upgraded F-16 Viper jets. Additionally, the dialogue is likely to cover support for military equipment, including Black Hawk and MH-60R helicopters.
Beyond defense, the two countries are set to explore other areas of cooperation. These include agreements regarding archaeological material, collaboration between the Greek Armed Forces and the U.S. National Guard, and mutual recognition of professional certificates for seafarers.
During his visit, Rubio is also scheduled to meet with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Their conversation is expected to address efforts to reduce Greece’s dependence on China while expanding bilateral cooperation with the United States.