“The Strategic Dialogue serves to accelerate the deepening of cooperation between Greece and the United States” reads the joint communiqué for the 5th round of the US-Greece Strategic Dialogue held on Friday in Washington. Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken opened the discussions, which were attended by high-level interagency representation from both countries.

As highlighted, the two countries used the Strategic Dialogue to highlight their developing bilateral and transatlantic relationship based on their shared democratic values ​​and interests. During this year’s Dialogue, Greece signed the “Artemis Agreements”, becoming the 35th country to join them. In this way, the US and Greece reaffirm their shared commitment to a vision of peaceful, sustainable and transparent cooperation in space. Mr Gerapetritis signed the agreements on behalf of Greece.

Regional issues

“Greece and the United States have renewed their commitment to promoting stability, peace and prosperity in Europe and the wider region, especially following the October 7 attack against Israel, the Houthi terrorist acts that threaten navigation in Red Sea and Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. The two governments reaffirmed their shared values ​​and commitment to Democracy as well as the need to resolve disputes diplomatically, respect sovereignty and observe International Law, including the Law of the Sea. Greece highlighted its ongoing contacts with neighboring Turkey, including hosting Turkish President Erdogan for the fifth Supreme Cooperation Council on December 7 in Athens and the signing of the Greece-Turkey Declaration of Friendship and Good Neighborly Relations. Greece and the United States intend to continue promoting regional integration, the rule of law, good neighborly relations, stability and security in the Western Balkans and Eastern Mediterranean region, as well as coordination through the 3+1 scheme ( Greece, Cyprus, Israel and United States). The United States expressed its appreciation for Greece’s humanitarian assistance to Gaza, its strong support for Israel and its participation in Operation Prosperity Guardian, and praised Greece for its leadership role in the new EU naval operation, EUNAVFOR Aspides. The two governments discussed the importance of supporting Ukraine, underlining the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Defense and Security

“The two countries emphasized their commitment to enhance security cooperation through Greece’s military modernization efforts. They look forward to the continuation of the cooperation for the supply of defense materials. The United States has praised Greece for sticking to its Wales Summit commitment by spending more than 3.5% of its GDP on defence, with more than 45% of that amount used to buy major equipment and for modernization. Greece and the United States further underlined the mutual benefits of co-producing Constellation-class frigates, including the economic benefits for Greek shipyards. The United States noted the continued success of the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA), which enhances NATO’s ability to protect its southeastern flank and provides strategically important access, bases, and transit capability for US forces. Greece and the United States highlighted the growing number of US forces working in solidarity with the Greek armed forces through joint multilateral training and exercises in support of the NATO Alliance. Greece and the United States underlined the strategic importance of the Port of Alexandroupolis as an important logistics and supply chain hub.

Humanitarian Challenges and Disaster Preparedness

“Greece and the United States discussed emergency planning and fire preparedness, including Greece’s contribution to the EU civil protection mechanism. The United States welcomed the participation of the Greek Fire Department in an American training tour and expressed interest in updating disaster response cooperation.

Greece presented further measures it plans to take to integrate asylum seekers and refugees into the Greek economy and society, including by improving access to employment and public services. The United States highlighted its Safe Mobility Initiative with UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to establish access to services based on specific humanitarian and protection needs in various Latin American countries”.

Energy and Environment

“The two countries emphasized their continued cooperation in the field of energy security, underlining the common goal of achieving greater regional connectivity to diversify energy pathways and types, including renewables, where Greece has emerged as a European leader. Cooperation on the development of renewable energy infrastructure in Greece is a shared priority to strengthen Greece’s future as a renewable energy exporter, including through the ‘Green Aegean’ initiative. The United States praised Greece’s leadership and preparations for hosting the 9th ‘Our Oceans Conference’ in April 2024 and reiterated the US commitment to support Greece’s planning efforts and priorities, including green shipping. The two countries highlighted the importance of including youth in climate change mitigation and resilience, including through a US Embassy in Athens-sponsored youth exchange program linking the ‘California Conservation Corps’ with the Greek non-governmental organization ‘Ecogenia’ ‘”.

Law Enforcement and Combating Terrorism

Greece and the United States discussed continued cooperation in the field of law enforcement, with both committed to mutual legal assistance, publications, joint training and exchange of issues to address complex challenges, and reviewed successes in these areas . The United States recognized Greece’s leadership role in the region in strategically advancing aviation security through the deployment of Passenger Information Units in several Western Balkan countries. During the discussion, Greece’s successful efforts to address new and emerging threats, such as cyber security and threats against critical infrastructure, money laundering and terrorism, were further highlighted through the issuance of new biometric IDs and passports, as well as voting of two important bills on cyber security and the strengthening of anti-crime measures by the Greek Parliament. The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to fight human trafficking, strengthen cyber security, promote regional aviation security and information sharing in the Western Balkans, and cooperate through the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS.”

Trade and Investments

“Greece and the United States expressed particular satisfaction at a strong year in trade and investment, highlighting the progress of the US-EU Trade and Technology Council. They discussed the USD 125 million loan from the US Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to ONEX Elefsina Shipyards, the first such deal in Greece. The two nations recognized Greece’s economic progress and its ongoing efforts to institutionalize a foreign direct investment control mechanism designed to protect Greece’s national security and as a gateway to Europe. Greece praised US-backed workplace inclusion efforts, including the ‘Women in Tech’ network in Thessaloniki to support and empower women working and studying in technology fields, conducting recruitment and promoting and advocating for policy change at the local and national level”.

Links between civil society

“Greece and the United States reaffirmed the deep and enduring ties between the peoples of the two nations and our shared commitment to democracy, innovation, and expanding educational opportunities for all, regardless of background or ability. The two countries recognized the important role of education and culture as factors of economic development and underlined the need to maintain academic openness and transparency in international cooperation in the field of higher education and research. The United States congratulated Greece on its continued efforts to internationalize its universities and increase opportunities for students to study in the United States, Greece’s partner of choice in educational cooperation. The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in educational and cultural cooperation and highlighted opportunities to exchange best practices in inclusive education, including education for people with special needs, unified design for learning and teaching and early intervention. The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to Holocaust education, including the establishment of a Holocaust Museum and Memorial Hall in Thessaloniki, as well as the joint supervision of the Arolsen Archives on Nazi Persecution as partners in the International Commission, in which Greece will exercise the presidency in 2024. Greece and the United States discussed the possibilities of cooperation to protect cultural heritage from the effects of climate change. The United States congratulated Greece on the record number of tourists, particularly from the United States, in 2023 and recognized the importance of this key sector of the economy for continued economic growth and employment. The United States welcomed the commitments of Prime Minister K. Mitsotakis for the legislation of marriage equality and the continuation of the implementation of the National Action Plan for the extension of the protection of LGBTI+ people in Greece”.