US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Athens as part of a trip to Europe with 5 to 8 October. In Greece, he will lead the American delegation to sixth round of the Greece-US Strategic Dialogue.
Briefly about the main thing
- Rubio’s trip will last from 5 to 8 October;
- the route includes Iceland, Greece and Portugal;
- will be held in Athens 6th Greece-US Strategic Dialogue;
- Among the main topics stated defence, energy and regional security;
- Specific new agreements have not yet been officially announced.
Athens will be the second stop of the European tour
According to Reuters citing the US State Department, Rubio will begin his trip in Reykjavik, followed by Athens and then Lisbon.
In Greece, he will lead the US delegation to the next round of the bilateral Strategic Dialogue. The American side identified among the main areas of negotiations defense cooperation, energy, regional security and economic ties.
Energy remains one of the key topics
Energy cooperation between the two countries has already been repeatedly discussed in contacts with the Greek Foreign Minister Georgos Gerapetritis and Marco Rubio.
In February, the Greek Foreign Ministry reported that during contacts the parties discussed bilateral cooperation, energy issues and regional events, including the situation in the Middle East.
Last November, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs also emphasized that the preparations for the sixth round of the Strategic Dialogue are related, among other things, to further strengthening the role of Greece as energy hub in the wider region.
Defense and regional security
The strategic dialogue between Athens and Washington covers more than just energy. Traditionally it includes questions defense and security, regional cooperation, trade and investment, law enforcement, energy and civil protection.
The first such dialogue took place in 2018 in Washington. Subsequent rounds took place in Athens and Washington, and the Greek Foreign Ministry calls this mechanism one of the central elements of the bilateral strategic partnership.
No specifics yet on new agreements
At the moment, official communications do not contain details about possible new agreements on LNG, military infrastructure, arms supplies, Turkey or energy prices.
Therefore, the main significance of the visit will become clearer after the negotiations in Athens, when statements by the parties and possible joint documents will be published.
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