Cooperation between the two countries has never been closer, the US Secretary of State said. Anthony Blinkenduring his joint statements with the Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.

The head of American diplomacy noted that “before I came here, I was in Turkey, where I saw the great pain caused by the earthquake.” He also thanked Nikos Dendias and the Greek people for helping Turkey. “Later I will express gratitude to some saviors,” he said, adding that they express the morality and honor of the Greeks.

4th Round of Strategic Dialogue between Greece and the United States

Foreign Ministers of Greece and the United States, Nikos Dendias And Anthony Blinkenannounced in the morning the start of the 4th round of the Greek-American Strategic Dialogue.

Dendias: Close cooperation between the two countries contributes to our common interests

The message that cooperation between Greece and the United States has become even stronger and that its strengthening contributes to our common interests, as well as regional peace and stability, was sent by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Nikos Dendias at the beginning of his meeting with Anthony Blinken.

He also emphasized that the strategic relationship between the two countries testifies to the continued interest of the United States in our region in terms of cooperation and defense. He also stressed that the two countries have common values ​​and a common respect for international law.

Speaking about the talks he will hold with the US Secretary of State, he said that they will discuss issues of defense and security, enforcement of international law and the fight against terrorism, humanitarian and environmental issues, as well as relations between peoples. “We will have an open dialogue on regional political issues,” he added.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized the geostrategic and energy importance of Alexandroupolis for South-Eastern Europe. “We want to connect even our electrical cables,” he said.

Blinken: Alexandroupolis is a key strategic center

For his part, Anthony Blinken, in his opening remarks, praised Greece’s leading role in strengthening security and energy transition in the region, and stressed that the United States is grateful to Greece for its unwavering support for Ukraine. He also thanked Greece for supporting Turkey after the devastating earthquakes and called on Athens and Ankara to take advantage of the historic moment and positive climate created.

As he noted, “the strategic dialogue is truly a reflection of the relationship our citizens have had for over 200 years, and today’s extended delegation truly represents the depth of our relationship.” He recalled that today’s discussion is based on the 3rd Strategic Dialogue held between the two ministries in Washington in 2021 and other important steps such as amending the defense cooperation agreement. “The armies of the two countries are training together, in new ways and in more places. Alexandroupolis has become a key strategic hub for the transfer of new defense equipment, trucks, artillery, military units throughout Europe,” he said.

He noted that the US is working to upgrade facilities in the region, creating new jobs, while “we have similar investments in other parts of Greece, including $123 million in infrastructure in Souda Bay and Larissa.” “The United States is grateful to Greece for its unwavering support for Ukraine since the invasion, including opening its doors to 20,000 displaced Ukrainians,” he said.

He also thanked Greece for immediately sending firefighters, doctors, search and rescue personnel, as well as supplies to neighboring Turkey after the devastating earthquakes. Anthony Blinken recalled that Nikos Dendias was the first European foreign minister to visit Turkey and was there himself on Sunday. “We both saw the incredible destruction from the earthquake and had the opportunity to learn about the rescue and relief efforts,” he noted, adding that the two foreign ministers of Greece and Turkey “said that they would strengthen bilateral cooperation, stating that they should not we are waiting for another earthquake to improve our relations.” He also called on the two countries to “seize the historic opportunity to strengthen the historic relationship between two important allies in a key region at a crucial moment.”

In addition, the US minister mentioned efforts to promote clean energy and strengthen energy security. “The transition of Greece is a model for the region,” he said characteristically. He also highly appreciated the role of our country in supporting neighboring countries in diversifying energy sources by reducing their dependence on Russia, such as Bulgaria.

He also noted that Greece and the United States are working to strengthen ties between the two peoples, and stressed that more than a million Americans visit Greece every year. “Our relationship is constantly evolving, innovating and ultimately leading to a better future,” he stressed and concluded: “I am confident that today’s strategic dialogue will contribute to all these efforts and help us achieve more for the Greek and American peoples and for everything peace.” because it is our responsibility.”

Strategic Dialogue between Greece and the United States

It is noted that in October 2021, the 3rd round of the Greek-American Strategic Dialogue was held in Washington.

Areas of cooperation covered by the strategic dialogue:

• regional problems
• defense And Security,
• law enforcement and counter-terrorism;
• humanitarian challenges and preparedness for natural disasters,
• trade and investment,
• energy And Environment,
• ties between the two peoples.

Bilateral negotiations are expected to focus on ways to further strengthen strategic bilateral relations across all sectors, as well as regional and international developments.

Blinken bridge between Athens and Ankara

Washington seeks to play the role of a bridge between Greece and Turkey, as evidenced by the position of US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who arrived in Athens yesterday from Turkey. In Ankara, Mr. Blinken called for a reduction in tensions, and in Athens, he praised her leadership on energy and security.

Courtesy of Blinken in Greece

The excellent level of Greek-American relations is confirmed by the visit to Athens of US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who had a private meeting last night with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who then hosted a dinner in his honor. The landing of Mr. Blinken in Athens just after Ankara, where he, in addition to meeting with his colleague Mevlut Cavusoglu, also had a brief meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, betrays one of the main goals of this particular trip. in the region, supporting efforts to open tighter and more consistent channels of communication between Greece and Turkey.

State Department: Strong U.S.-Greece Relations Confirmed

“The strong relationship between the US and Greece” was highlighted during the US Secretary of State’s meeting with the Prime Minister. According to a statement from the State Department, both sides “emphasized the strong relationship between the United States and Greece. The Minister thanked the Prime Minister for Greece’s regional leadership, including its continued support for Ukraine and its role as a regional energy hub. They discussed the tragic earthquake in Turkey and the commitment to support the victims. Both sides discussed their commitment to democracy, peace and prosperity as strong NATO allies.”

Calls to reduce tensions

During his visit to Ankara, Anthony Blinken pointed out to US satisfaction that Turkey is taking steps to cooperate with Greece, Armenia and Israel, while stressing that Ankara would benefit from easing tensions and resolving disputes with Greece as it would be at the center of networks transmission of energy from North Africa to Europe. In fact, the American Secretary of State suggested that Turkey get closer to the Western alliance and the countries that represent it in the region.