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Rubio\u2019s visit for the sixth Greece-US Strategic Dialogue is being closely watched in Athens, particularly because the US Secretary of State is travelling to Greece without a corresponding visit to Ankara.<\/p>\n
For decades, Washington has generally sought to balance its relations with Greece and Turkey by combining high-level visits to both capitals. The decision to visit Athens alone therefore carries added significance for Greece at a time of renewed disputes over sovereignty, energy projects and security in the region.<\/p>\n
The visit comes as the United States continues to deepen its strategic cooperation with Greece, Cyprus and Israel while Athens positions itself as a key energy and security hub between Europe, the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean.<\/p>\n
Defence cooperation is expected to be one of the most important areas of discussion.<\/p>\n
Greece is moving ahead with its programme to acquire F-35 fighter jets while continuing the upgrade of its F-16 fleet to the Viper configuration.<\/p>\n
The Hellenic Air Force is also reportedly preparing a Letter of Interest to the US seeking additional weapons and equipment for its upgraded F-16s and future F-35s.<\/p>\n
The systems under consideration include advanced air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-120D AMRAAM, AIM-9X Sidewinder and AIM-260 JATM, alongside anti-ship and precision strike weapons.<\/p>\n
Greece is also interested in the AGM-158 JASSM-ER long-range cruise missile and the AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile.<\/p>\n
Athens is seeking to advance the upgrade of the remaining 38 Greek F-16s to the Viper standard, while the Armed Forces are also examining the acquisition of used US Stryker 8\u00d78 armoured vehicles and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles.<\/p>\n
The discussions come as Greece continues to diversify its defence procurement across the United States, Europe and Israel.<\/p>\n
Energy cooperation will also feature prominently in the Strategic Dialogue.<\/p>\n
The Vertical Corridor is expected to be a key subject, with Greece promoting the route as an important pathway for US LNG to reach the Balkans and Central and Eastern Europe.<\/p>\n
Athens is also seeking strong US backing for hydrocarbon exploration south of Crete.<\/p>\n
US energy giants ExxonMobil and Chevron are involved in exploration plans in Greek-licensed blocks, making Washington\u2019s position particularly important as Greece faces opposition from Libya linked to the controversial Turkish-Libyan memorandum.<\/p>\n
The development of Greece\u2019s offshore energy resources is increasingly tied to the country\u2019s wider strategy of strengthening its role as an energy hub for Europe.<\/p>\n
The wider security environment in the Eastern Mediterranean will also be discussed.<\/p>\n
Greece is expected to emphasise its role as a pillar of regional stability and a provider of security, particularly amid continuing disputes with Turkey over maritime zones, energy projects and connectivity.<\/p>\n
The Greece, Cyprus, Israel and US 3+1 framework is also expected to feature in discussions, although a foreign ministers\u2019 meeting in the format does not currently appear likely during Rubio\u2019s visit.<\/p>\n
Cyprus will remain an important part of the wider US strategy in the region.<\/p>\n
Washington recently renewed the lifting of its embargo on defence equipment sales to the Republic of Cyprus and has strengthened defence and energy cooperation with Nicosia.<\/p>\n
Rubio has also reiterated US support for a Cyprus-led settlement under UN mediation based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation.<\/p>\n
That position contrasts with Turkey\u2019s advocacy of a two-state solution for Cyprus.<\/p>\n
Rubio and Mitsotakis are also expected to discuss the war in Ukraine, developments involving Iran and the wider situation in the Middle East.<\/p>\n
The talks will provide Athens with an opportunity to underline Greece\u2019s strategic importance to Washington at a time when the US is seeking reliable partners across the Mediterranean and southeastern Europe.<\/p>\n
The sixth Strategic Dialogue was originally scheduled for December 2025 but was postponed amid major international developments.<\/p>\n
The meeting will now take place as Greece and the United States seek to expand cooperation across defence, energy, connectivity, trade, investment, culture and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n
A joint communiqu\u00e9 is expected at the conclusion of the talks.<\/p>\n
For Athens, the central objective will be clear: translate the increasingly close Greece-US strategic relationship into stronger defence cooperation, greater US support for Greek energy projects and a clearer American presence in the Eastern Mediterranean.<\/p>\n
Rubio\u2019s decision to come to Athens without travelling to Ankara adds another layer of significance to the visit as Greece seeks to strengthen its position within Washington\u2019s regional strategy.<\/p>\n
If you want, I can also make the headline , with the .<\/p>\n