The reaffirmation of the high level of Greek-American relations, their strategic nature and the expansion of areas of cooperation was brought about by the meeting of Giorgos Gerapetritis with Marko Rubioat the Lefko House on Thursday evening.

The Greek and US foreign ministers noted that they have converging positions on a number of regional issues, while from the Greek side they appreciated the importance that Washington attaches to Athens as a reliable ally for stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, for ensuring Europe’s energy security and for contributing to addressing crises in the wider region.

According to diplomatic sources, during the meeting, which lasted 50 minutes, the importance of the strategic partnership between Greece and the US was highlighted, with the two ministers agreeing to finalize the procedures for the holding of the 6th Greece-US Strategic Dialogue Round later this year in Athens.

Particular emphasis was placed on strengthening economic diplomacy, with a focus on trade and investment, while further promotion of synergies in the fields of shipping, energy, artificial intelligence and high technology was agreed.

The two sides also stressed the importance of interconnectivity and inter-regional cooperation, referring, inter alia, to the IMEEC Economic Corridor as an important alternative route where the interests of the two countries converge.

The discussion highlighted the role of Greece as a strategic hub for relations with the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean, taking into account the bilateral and trilateral cooperation that the country has developed in the region.

At the same time, the two ministers referred to the future of Euro-Atlantic relations, noting the need to further strengthen them, while they agreed to intensify their cooperation, with the aim of highlighting the importance of the protection of Christian populations in the Middle East.

In the context of the exchange of views on developments in the Middle East and the Peace Council, with a focus on Gaza, Mr. Gerapetritis stressed Greece’s readiness to contribute to the stabilization and reconstruction efforts in the region.

Finally, the Foreign Minister briefed his American counterpart on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue.

After the meeting, the Foreign Minister said:

I had the opportunity today to meet with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio here in Washington, D.C., at the White House for the second time in the last year. We have a very good, very constructive relationship. We talk regularly, both on issues relating to relations between the two countries and, of course, on international and regional developments. He is extremely knowledgeable about regional issues, particularly those relating to the Eastern Mediterranean.

He is very knowledgeable about the Middle East and the Middle East region.

We discussed the issues, which concern the two countries. Relations between the United States and Greece are currently at their highest point. We are in a truly exceptional situation, both in terms of economic cooperation, particularly in the energy sector, but also in defense cooperation, trade and economic diplomacy.

In terms of Euro-Atlantic relations, we had the opportunity to discuss the relations that are developing in the new dynamic environment. The relationship between the United States and Europe is a structural relationship, which developed after the Second World War. It is our shared belief that we need to build on that relationship, and despite whatever problems may arise from time to time, it is particularly important that we can join forces and promote the ideas that built the West.

In terms of regional developments, we talked about issues of current concern, such as the Middle East, Iran, Ukraine, Sub-Saharan Africa – all those areas where global dangers are currently located.

Once again, I would like to point out that Greece is at the forefront of international developments, with a solid word, with a consistent word. We are the ones who are shaping developments and not just watching them. With a vision for our country, with vigour and strength, without defeatism, with self-confidence.