US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias witnessed the signing of a new defence cooperation agreement between the Hellenic Armed Forces and the Florida National Guard on Wednesday, as Athens and Washington moved to deepen their strategic partnership.
The agreement was signed by Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff General Demetrios Houpis and Florida National Guard Commander John Haas in the presence of Rubio and Dendias.
Dendias described the agreement as an important moment for the Greek Armed Forces, saying cooperation with the Florida National Guard would provide Greece with additional opportunities for the exchange of expertise, joint exercises and closer communication.
“The agreement that was signed gives an additional dimension to our cooperation between the two states,” Dendias said, adding that Greece is seeking best practices to strengthen the operational capabilities of its Armed Forces and reserve forces.
Rubio said the agreement was another sign of the strength of the US-Greece alliance.
“This is about the historic US-Greece alliance, which continues to be strengthened on multiple levels: in the economic sector, in the defence sector and, in this case, through our National Guard,” Rubio said.
He noted that Florida has extensive experience dealing with hurricanes, while Greece has expertise in responding to earthquakes and wildfires.
“There is significant room for interoperability and mutual learning,” Rubio said.
He described the agreement as part of an alliance built on a long history of cooperation while facing new challenges and opportunities.
Rubio: Greece is a steadfast and great ally
The agreement came as Rubio took part in the sixth Greece-US Strategic Dialogue in Athens.
During joint statements with Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, Rubio said the United States was grateful that Greece “remains a steadfast and great ally” and described Greece as an important strategic partner in the region.
Rubio also stressed the importance of energy cooperation, saying Washington has an “absolute commitment” to working with Greece because energy security is linked to global security.
Gerapetritis highlighted the development of the Vertical Corridor and described it as evidence of unprecedented levels of energy cooperation between Greece and the United States.
The Greek Foreign Minister also pointed to the F-35 programme as a major element of bilateral defence cooperation.
Greece positions itself as a security provider
Gerapetritis said Greece has increasingly become a security provider in the wider region, pointing to the country’s role in the Red Sea and its strategic importance for energy and supply routes.
He said Greece would be prepared, if necessary, to provide naval assistance to the United States in the Strait of Hormuz, provided there is a sustainable peace process.
The two sides also discussed developments involving Israel, Cyprus and the Middle East.
Gerapetritis reiterated Greece’s support for resolving the Cyprus issue in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions and highlighted the importance of the 3+1 framework involving Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the United States.
Rubio highlights Greece’s strategic role
Earlier, Rubio said Greece was an indispensable NATO ally and a pillar of stability, while highlighting the country’s role as a secure energy hub.
He also referred to the legacy of Ancient Greece ahead of his planned address at the Pnyx, overlooking the Acropolis.
Gerapetritis said Greece-US cooperation “has never been stronger” and described Greece as an “anchor of stability” in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The latest defence agreement adds another layer to a relationship that now spans defence, energy, trade, technology, security and cultural cooperation.
Culture Minister Lina Mendoni also said the Greece-US relationship has strong cooperation in the protection of cultural heritage, following talks during the Strategic Dialogue.
Rubio’s Athens visit comes as Greece and the United States continue to expand cooperation across multiple strategic areas, with both governments emphasising the longstanding foundations of the bilateral alliance.
