The US Secretary of StateAnthony Blinken expressed his pleasure in hosting the 5th round of the US-Greece Strategic Dialogue. Mr. Blinken argued that the inclusion of Greece in the space cooperation agreements “Artemis Accords” marks a new important step in the relationship between the two countries.

“The partnership between our countries is in my opinion at the highest level it has ever been. This feeling was reinforced when I had the opportunity to visit Athens a year ago for our last one Strategic Dialogue and also in my recent visit just a few weeks ago with the prime minister in Crete”, he pointed out.

Referring to the scope of bilateral cooperation, Mr. Blinken said that “our countries work together to promote peace and stability, stand by Ukraine, defend free navigation in the Red Sea, confront terrorists, provide life-saving humanitarian aid to people who need it, responding to natural disasters”.

Regarding security, the US minister asserted that the US and Greece jointly strengthen transatlantic defense and security through the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement. At this point, he said that the two countries are working to strengthen NATO and referred to the sale of F-35s to Greece.

Regarding space cooperation, Anthony Blinken mentioned that the relationship between the two countries is being led to new frontiers. “And now we’re literally taking our partnership to new frontiers. By signing space agreements, Greece joins the USA and 33 other nations to advance our shared vision of safe, peaceful and sustainable space exploration,” he noted.

Finally, Mr Blinken argued that the coalition will be stronger with Greece being an important member of the European Space Agency, as it has established itself as a leader in the use of small satellites to monitor the environment and improve our understanding of climate change.