The United States and Greece are strengthening their security cooperation with a new programme aimed at improving the sharing of counterterrorism information between their law enforcement agencies.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the agreement on Wednesday during his official visit to Athens, where he held talks with Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis as part of the sixth US-Greece Strategic Dialogue.
Rubio described Greece as a “strong and model NATO ally” and said both countries faced common security challenges, including terrorism, mass migration and human trafficking.
“As part of our efforts to combat these common threats to our nations, we’re proud to announce a new memorandum of understanding establishing a joint security program to strengthen the counterterrorism information sharing between our respective law enforcement agencies,” Rubio said.
The new security arrangement is part of broader efforts by Washington and Athens to deepen their defence and security relationship.
The two countries also agreed to strengthen trade and investment ties, expand cultural cooperation and improve military interoperability. Greece is set to receive $4 billion in Foreign Military Sales as part of its long-term defence plan, while both sides will explore further cooperation in the defence industry and advanced technologies.
The agreement also includes Greece’s participation in the US National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program with Florida, as well as the provision of Stryker vehicles to strengthen interoperability between the two militaries.
Greece remains an important NATO partner for the United States, providing strategic military facilities in the Eastern Mediterranean. It also participates in an EU maritime operation protecting commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
Gerapetritis said Greece was prepared to cooperate with the United States on maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, provided there is a viable peace process in the region.
The two countries also reaffirmed their commitment to addressing illegal migration and expanding cooperation between their law enforcement and counterterrorism agencies.
Rubio Defends US Ambassador
During the visit, Rubio was also asked about US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle following concerns raised by some US senators over allegations that she had threatened that Washington could use its influence against the Greek government.
Asked whether her conduct complied with State Department ethics, Rubio defended the ambassador’s performance.
“Suffice it to say, our embassy here is doing a great job. Our ambassador has been a strong ambassador here,” he said.
The latest agreements come as Washington and Athens seek to further strengthen their longstanding alliance amid security challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean and wider region.
