The Greek and U.S. foreign ministers, Nikos Dendias and Antony Blinken, today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It should be noted that the third round of the Greece-U.S. Strategic Dialogue took place in Washington in October 2021.

The areas of cooperation covered by the Strategic Dialogue are: Regional Issues, Defense and Security, Law Enforcement and Counterterrorism, Humanitarian Challenges and Disaster Preparedness, Trade and Investment, Energy and the Environment, and People-to-People Ties.

This will be followed by talks between the two delegations and a one-on-one meeting between the foreign ministers.

N. Dendias: Strategic relations between Greece and the U.S. have reached their highest point, with a promising outlook

Greek-U.S. relations are strategic and have reached their highest point, with a promising future, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias emphasized during joint statements with his U.S. counterpart Antony Blinken, immediately following the opening of the 4th Greece–U.S. Strategic Dialogue and their one-on-one meeting in Athens.

«The Strategic Dialogue covers seven key areas. It is tangible proof of the momentum in Greece’s relations with the United States. These strategic relations have reached their highest point, with a clear future ahead. Our bilateral relations are firmly grounded in our shared principles and values: freedom, democracy, human rights, and our commitment to international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter,» N. Dendias noted.

The upward momentum of bilateral strategic relations was cemented by the two defense cooperation agreements between Greece and the U.S., the foreign minister said. He emphasized that their signing demonstrates that, in an ever-changing environment, Greece is recognized as a pillar of stability and security.

Nikos Dendias made special mention of the «dynamic presence» of the Greek diaspora in the U.S.

Ant. Blinken: Alexandroupoli is a key strategic hub — Satisfaction with Greece’s support for Turkey and Ukraine

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in his opening remarks at the start of the 4th round of the Greece-U.S. Strategic Dialogue, while emphasizing that the U.S. is grateful for Greece’s unwavering support for Ukraine.

Mr. Blinken also thanked Greece for its support of Turkey following the devastating earthquakes and called on Athens and Ankara to seize this historic moment and the positive atmosphere that has been created.

As he pointed out, «the Strategic Dialogue is, in fact, a reflection of the relationship our citizens have had for more than 200 years, and indeed today’s expanded delegation represents the depth of the relationship wehave.».

He noted that today’s discussion is based on the third strategic dialogue held between the two ministries in Washington in 2021 and on other important steps, such as the amendment to the defense cooperation agreement.

«The troops of the two countries are training together, using new methods and in more locations. Alexandroupoli has become a key strategic hub for bringing new defensive weapons, trucks, artillery, and military units throughout Europe,» he noted.

He noted that the U.S. 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 U.S. is grateful for Greece’s unwavering support for Ukraine following the invasion, including by opening its doors to 20,000 displaced Ukrainians,» he emphasized.

He also thanked Greece for immediately sending firefighters, doctors, search-and-rescue personnel, and supplies to neighboring Turkey following the devastating earthquakes.

Mr. Dendias, as he pointed out, was, after all, the first European foreign minister to travel to Turkey, and he himself was there on Sunday.

«We both witnessed the incredible devastation caused by the earthquake and had the opportunity to learn about the rescue and relief efforts,» he noted, adding that the foreign ministers of Greece and Turkey «stated that they would strengthen bilateral cooperation, saying that we should not wait for another earthquake to improve our relations».

He also called on the two countries «to seize this historic opportunity to strengthen the historic ties between two crucial allies in a pivotal region at a critical moment.».

In addition, the U.S. secretary referred to efforts to promote clean energy and strengthen energy security.

«Greece’s transition serves as a model for the region,» he emphasized, noting that renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, provided half of Greece’s electricity needs, which, he said, is equivalent to taking 3 million cars off the road.

He also praised our country’s role in helping neighboring countries diversify their energy sources and reduce their dependence on Russia, such as Bulgaria, for example.

He also noted that Greece and the U.S. are working to strengthen the ties between the two nations and emphasized that more than one million Americans visit Greece every year. He also recalled that the U.S. president himself likes to be called John Bidenopoulos.

«Every day, our people learn from one another, run businesses together, watch each other’s movies, listen to each other’s music, and enjoy each other’s food.».

«Last November, we took our educational partnership to new heights,» he said, noting that a record delegation of 30 American universities visited Greek universities to explore collaboration opportunities.

«This summer, Prime Minister Mitsotakis noted that Greece is an attractive destination for cultural exchanges because it is a laboratory of constant change,» he said. «It’s a wonderful way to describe Greece, and I think the same can be said about us and our friendship.».

«Our relations are constantly evolving and innovating, ultimately leading to a better future,» Mr. Blinken emphasized, concluding: «I am confident that today’s strategic dialogue will advance all these efforts and help us better serve the Greek and American people and the world, because that is our responsibility.».