Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis is set to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday to discuss the new administration’s priorities regarding Greece and regional security.
The meeting, originally scheduled for Wednesday, was postponed due to the volatile international situation, particularly concerning the Ukraine conflict, which has kept the US secretary’s schedule in flux.
Gerapetritis, currently in New York, is also attending meetings at the United Nations, where the ongoing divisions between Europe and the US were evident.
The US joined Russia and other nations in rejecting a UN resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while Greece aligned with the European Union stance. Gerapetritis participated in both a UN General Assembly session and a Security Council meeting regarding Ukraine.
For Athens, the meeting with Rubio holds strategic importance, not only due to shifting Western security dynamics but also in reinforcing the US commitment to Greece as a key ally.
This is vital for Greece, especially following years of initiatives that started under the Trump administration.
Athens’ steadfast commitment to its alliance with Washington, as well as Greece’s adherence to international law, are expected to be Gerapetritis’ main arguments.
Rubio’s expertise on Eastern Mediterranean affairs and his role in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee make him an important interlocutor for Greek interests.
As Gerapetritis works to ensure US support, Greece’s focus on maintaining strong ties with Washington, upholding international law, and advancing critical regional projects like the Greece-Cyprus-Israel electricity interconnection is central. The project, facing opposition from Turkey, continues to be backed by the US, which has been instrumental in pushing its progress.
Gerapetritis is expected to meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres later on Tuesday and to discuss Cyprus at an upcoming informal meeting in mid-March.