Rubio in Athens: Greece is “an indispensable NATO Ally”, with defence and energy at the heart of US–Greece ties

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio underlined the strategic importance of Greece to the United States, in both defence and energy security, in his remarks at the opening of the sixth Greece–US Strategic Dialogue in Athens on Wednesday, October 7. Further statements by Greek ministers and by Rubio at other events during the day are summarised below, in Athens time.

Rubio: “Greece is an indispensable NATO Ally”

In his remarks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, published in full by the State Department, Rubio said the two countries share a long history of alliance. He noted that it is his first trip to Greece ever, adding that he had not even had the chance to come as a senator, and said he hoped his presence and the work ahead would highlight “how critical the historic alliance between Greece and the United States is”.

He tied the alliance to the current international uncertainty. He referred to the war between Russia and Ukraine, to the Middle East, to the Strait of Hormuz and, increasingly, to the Red Sea “because of the Houthis in Yemen and Saudi Arabia”. “At a time of extraordinary global tumult and global instability, we need anchor partners rooted in a common history,” he said, adding that this is what Greece has meant for the United States.

Rubio made clear that the relationship is not limited to defence. It extends, he said, to trade, investment, energy and cultural exchange, and there are “literally no areas of our societies or of our countries that are not part of the U.S.-Greece relationship”, all of which the two sides seek to build on and expand.

Among the central political messages of his remarks was the role of Greece in NATO: “Greece is an indispensable NATO partner, an indispensable NATO Ally. It is a pillar of stability in this region, it is a pillar of the U.S.’s presence in this region, and it is a pillar of how we secure our national interest as well as Greece’s in the region.”

On defence, he referred to the cooperation of the Florida National Guard with the Greek defence ministry, saying Greece joins the US National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program with the guard from his home state of Florida, which he called “another milestone in our deepening defense relationship”. He also raised secure supply chains as a further area in which Athens and Washington want to act jointly.

Rubio also announced a new memorandum of understanding between the United States and Greece providing for a joint security programme. According to the secretary of state, its aim is to strengthen the exchange of information on counterterrorism between the two countries’ law enforcement agencies.

Energy: the Vertical Corridor

Rubio gave particular weight to energy cooperation, which he presented as one of the main pillars of the strategic relationship. “Our energy relationship is reaching new heights, and it continues to expand and grow,” he said. “The Vertical Gas Corridor expansion has cemented Greece as an energy hub and as a secure energy hub, and has facilitated increase in U.S. LNG exports to Europe.”

Rubio also spoke of the historical and cultural ties between the two countries and of the importance of knowing and preserving the past as the foundation on which strength and the future are built. Closing his remarks, he said he was glad to take part in the Strategic Dialogue, that it is his first visit to Greece, and that he hopes it will not be his last as secretary of state. The speech he is due to deliver in the evening at the Pnyx is covered in a separate article on Geopolitiki.

Other statements during the day

12:07, Gerapetritis on Hormuz. Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis said that, if it becomes necessary, Greece is in a position to provide naval assistance to the United States in the Strait of Hormuz. He linked such assistance to the existence of a viable peace process.

12:10, Gerapetritis on Souda and security. Asked whether Greece could support the United States through the Souda base, Gerapetritis stressed that Greek foreign policy rests on respect for international law and on supporting the defender against the aggressor. He referred to the role of the Souda base and to Greece’s contribution to security in the wider region, saying the country can provide security and is a pillar of stability. He also pointed to the Greek role in the Aspides operation, which protects freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.

12:44, Rubio at the US embassy. Speaking at the inauguration of the renovated US embassy in Athens, Rubio said embassies are not only buildings but the architectural expression of a country and its presence abroad, and that they must combine security, functionality, strength, leadership and openness. He made a particular reference to the Parthenon and the influence of ancient Athens on the United States: the marble of the embassy, he noted, recalls that of the Parthenon and symbolises both the ties with Greece and the influence of Athens on American institutions and architecture. He praised the embassy staff, saying that an embassy is an empty building without its people, and said he was proud to take part in the start of a new era for the American diplomatic presence in Athens. He closed by expressing the hope that the renovated building will continue to reflect the close ties between the two countries and draw inspiration from the ancient Athenian heritage.

13:03, Rubio’s post. In a post on his visit, Rubio described Greece as a steady and capable NATO ally, highlighting the level of relations between Athens and Washington. He said the two countries are united on defence, energy and shared democratic values, that the bond between the United States and Greece is deep, and that bilateral cooperation is stronger than ever.

13:32, Dendias on the Florida National Guard. National Defence Minister Nikos Dendias spoke of the close strategic relationship between Greece and the United States at the signing of a Letter of Intent on cooperation between the Hellenic Armed Forces and the Florida National Guard. He stressed that the agreement adds a new dimension to the two countries’ defence cooperation and is part of the overall reform of the Hellenic Armed Forces under “Agenda 2030”. Greece, he said, seeks to draw on best practices to upgrade both its armed forces and its reserve. He put particular emphasis on the transfer of know-how, joint exercises and close communication with the Florida National Guard, noting that the cooperation offers an additional means of modernising and upgrading the operational capability of the Hellenic Armed Forces.