The top diplomats of Greece and the U.S., George Gerapetritis and Marco Rubio, underscored the strategic significance of bilateral relations during a meeting at the White House on Thursday.
According to diplomatic sources, the meeting that lasted approximately 50 minutes took place in a very positive atmosphere. The same sources noted that the importance of the strategic partnership between Greece and the US was highlighted, and that procedures for holding the 6th Round of the Greece-US Strategic Dialogue in Athens would be finalised within the year.
In statements made to ERT after the meeting, Gerapetritis noted that he had the opportunity to meet his American counterpart for the second time in the past year. He also said that they have a very good and constructive relationship, with regular communication on both bilateral issues and regional and international developments.
Cooperation between Greece and the US is “at its highest possible level”
He emphasised that cooperation between Greece and the US is “at its highest possible level”, particularly in energy, defence, trade, and economic diplomacy.
Diplomatic sources reported that the two ministers underscored the need to strengthen economic diplomacy, with a focus on trade and investment. They also agreed to further promote synergies in the fields of shipping, energy, artificial intelligence, and high technology.
They also talk about interconnectivity and interregional cooperation, including through the IMEEC Economic Corridor, as an alternative route of strategic interest where the interests of the two countries converge.
Regional issues
According to the same sources, the importance of Greece as a strategic hub for relations with countries of the Eastern Mediterranean was highlighted, with emphasis on the bilateral and trilateral cooperation that Athens has developed in the region. In this context, the two sides also discussed the future of Euro-Atlantic relations, underlining the need to further strengthen them.
The talks extended to international security issues, including the Middle East, Iran, Ukraine and Sub-Saharan Africa. According to diplomatic sources, the two ministers exchanged views on developments in the Middle East and Gaza. Gerapetritis expressed Greece’s readiness to contribute to efforts to stabilise and rebuild the region.
Gerapetritis and Rubio concurred on the necessity to enhance their collaboration in advocating for the protection of Christian communities in the Middle East. Gerapetritis also briefed his American counterpart on developments regarding the Cyprus issue.
The meeting is part of ongoing contacts between Athens and Washington at a time of increased geopolitical fluidity, with the Greek side promoting its role as a reliable partner in the Eastern Mediterranean and the broader Euro-Atlantic security architecture.