In a warm atmosphere, the meeting of the foreign minister started shortly before 9 am, Nikos Dendias with the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinkenduring which they announced the start of the 4th round of the Greece-US Strategic Dialogue.

It is recalled that the 3rd round of the Greece-US Strategic Dialogue took place in Washington in October 2021.

Welcoming Mr. Blinken Mr. Dendias mentioned that the strong cooperation between Greece and the USA has become even stronger.

“We have been meeting since the third meeting that took place 1.5 years ago in Washington and now you are returning to Greece. Since then we have experienced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The fact is that amidst all these developments the strong cooperation between Greece and the USA has become even stronger. This is very important to our relationship. Strengthening our cooperation promotes our common interests, but also regional peace in the region.”

Mr. Dendias underlined that the two countries have common values, common respect for International Law.

Referring to the talks he will have with the US Secretary of State, he said they will discuss defense and security, enforcement of international law and the fight against terrorism, humanitarian and environmental challenges, and relations between peoples. “We will have an open dialogue about regional political problems,” he added.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs made special reference to the geostrategic and energy importance of Alexandroupolis for Southeastern Europe. “We want to connect even our electrical conduits” he pointed out.

On his part, Mr. Blinken he spoke about strengthening bilateral relations and made special reference to Alexandroupolis as a strategic hub.

He also noted the Greek aid to Turkey after the earthquake and referred to Mr. Dendias’ trip to the earthquake affected areas. He said that what was said by Dendias and Cavusoglu was important, that a disaster is not needed to strengthen Greece-Turkey relations.

Mr. Blinken underlined that Greece can play an important role in the energy security of the wider region and focused on the help it offers to its neighboring countries to become independent of Russian gas.

The American Foreign Minister closed his presentation by referring to the ties between the two countries and saying that “many Greeks live in America and the best known is… Joe Bidenopoulos”.

Diplomatic sources commented that the visit of the head of American diplomacy to our country once again demonstrates, in the most tangible way, the confidence of the US in our country’s indisputable role in defending stability and prosperity in the wider region, in the midst of rapid geopolitical developments, while as they estimated the present visit “will seal the emergence of Greece as one of the most reliable partners of the USA at a geostrategic level”.

The areas of cooperation covered by the Strategic Dialogue are: Regional Issues, Defense and Security, Law Enforcement and Counter-Terrorism, Humanitarian Challenges and Disaster Preparedness, Trade and Investment, Energy and Environment, People-to-People Ties.