The close partnership between the United States and Greece was the focus of the US Secretary of State’s recent visit. Anthony Blinken, in our country. During the briefing of the diplomatic editors, his representative State DepartmentNed Price, mentioned Greece’s leading role in promoting peace and prosperity in the region stretching from Eastern Mediterranean to the Balkans and the Black Sea.

A State Department spokesman noted, according to APE-MPE, that “the Minister stressed that the US and Greece are advancing our common goals of peace and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Western Balkans, the Black Sea region and beyond. He also thanked Greece for supporting Ukraine. He met with Prime Minister Mitsotakis to reaffirm the United States’ strong partnership with Greece and reiterate US support for Greece’s significant contribution to the alliance and its continued leadership in the region.”

Mr. Price did not fail to mention the strengthening of defense cooperation between Washington and Athens, as well as the new geostrategic importance that Alexandroupolis has acquired for NATO’s eastern wing.

“At the start of the Fourth US-Greece Strategic Dialogue, Minister Blinken emphasized our common values ​​and noted the depth and breadth of Greek-American cooperation. He stressed the importance of the updated Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA) as the foundation of our bilateral defense cooperation in the port of Alexandroupoli, which serves as a strategic hub to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank in response to Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine.” indicated.

Finally, the State Department spokesman highlighted Greece’s role in strengthening European energy security and mentioned the new ties being forged between civil society in the two countries. As Mr. Price mentioned, “The Minister (Anthony Blinken) stressed Greece’s role in strengthening regional energy security and developing civil society links between our two countries. He emphasized the positive impact of expanding US-Greek cultural and educational cooperation on our relationship for future generations. He also met with Foreign Minister (Nikos) Dendias to discuss their recent trips to Turkey and the urgent assistance needed to rebuild after the devastating earthquakes.”

US investment in bases in Greece

Foreign Secretary Anthony Blinken’s contacts in Athens, in addition to ceremonially reaffirming the strategic relationship that the US has now built with Greece, also served as a milestone for close defense and security ties.

Mr. Blinken himself referred to investments already made (a total of $123 million) based on the new multi-year regime of the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (DMCA) in the Souda and Larisa bases.

At the same time, it became clear in the 4th Strategic Dialogue joint declaration that the delivery of the fifth generation F-35 would actually take place within the timetable, which is roughly known from discussions also held at the level of the Department of National Defense with the manufacturing company Lockheed Martin.