There are visits that are planned and visits that are chosen. Marco Rubio ‘s arrival in Athens falls into the second category, and that in itself says more than any announcement.
Speaking to reporters before departing for Reykjavik , the US secretary of state called Greece a “very important ally” of the United States. “It’s a country where we have not only a military presence , but also strong economic ties . So it’s an opportunity to go there and meet with them,” he said. The wording is not formal. It describes a relationship that has moved beyond geography and bases to economic depth .
The visit is part of the 6th Round of the Strategic Dialogue , which is being held on Wednesday with a very broad agenda. The program begins at 09:00 with the bilateral meeting between Rubio and George Gerapetritis , followed by statements to the press, and at 10:00 the two ministers will declare the start of the work. The first session, in plenary session, will cover major regional and international developments, while working sessions will follow on Regional Issues, People-to-People Ties, International Developments, Security and Law Enforcement, Energy, Shipping, Technology, Trade and Investment, Defense .
The first point that deserves attention is precisely this breadth . A dialogue that initially revolved around defense cooperation now covers shipping, technology, investments and human contacts. It is an indication that the relationship has become institutionalized and does not depend on circumstances or individuals.
The second point concerns the texts that will be signed, each of which has its own practical extension.
The Letter of Intent for cooperation between the Hellenic Armed Forces and the Florida National Guard creates a permanent channel for training and exchange of expertise. This type of program has long served as one of the most stable defense interconnection mechanisms that the United States has with partner countries.
The Memorandum of Understanding on the Mutual Recognition of Seafarers’ Certificates of Competence , based on the International Convention on Standard Training of Seafarers (STCW) 1978, has direct and measurable benefits. It facilitates the employment of Greek seafarers and strengthens cooperation in maritime education, a field where the country has a global leadership.
The renewal of the Memorandum on import restrictions on archaeological and ethnological material up to the 15th century, finally, concerns the protection of cultural heritage and the restriction of the illegal trafficking of antiquities to the American market.
The third and perhaps most important point concerns the person of the visitor. The 6th Round was initially scheduled for December 2025 , but developments in Venezuela and then the war in Iran imposed successive postponements. The fact that it is taking place now, especially just before the midterm elections in the US, when every day of the Secretary of State has a huge political cost, is recorded as a personal choice .
And this choice has a long history. Rubio led the way in 2019 , along with Bob Menendez , in the adoption of the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act , legislation that essentially redesigned American strategy in the region, placing the alliance with Greece, Cyprus and Israel at the center. This was followed in 2021 by the US-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act , which further deepened the defense relationship.
In other words, Athens is not welcoming an official who is just learning about the region’s issues. It is welcoming the man who institutionalized them. And, moreover, a front-line politician who aspires to an even greater role, likely as the Republican Party’s candidate to succeed Donald Trump . Investing in a relationship from such an interlocutor has value that extends far beyond the current term.
The American-Hellenic Institute also intervened in the same climate, requesting confirmation of support for the sovereign rights of Greece and the Republic of Cyprus , based on international law, in a letter to the American minister. AHI President Nick Laryngakis describes Greece as a “steadfast ally” in NATO, with particular reference to Souda , while highlighting the country’s role as an energy gateway to Europe, through the US-Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center and the 3+1 format.
The letter also includes clear sharp criticisms of Ankara, with demands to maintain CAATSA sanctions, opposition to Turkey’s return to the F-35 program, and rejection of moves that would impede legitimate energy development or challenge the sovereignty of US allies.
All of this is based on an already solid foundation . The Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement , in its revised form signed in 2021 by Nikos Dendias and Anthony Blinken and entered into force in 2022, as well as the 2020 Pompeo letter with the American guarantee for the “security and prosperity” of Greece, constitute a framework that few countries of our size have.
Diplomatic sources summarize the picture by speaking of strategic depth and a shared will for further deepening. In a period of increased geopolitical challenges and reshuffles, Greece is emerging as a pillar of stability and security provider in Southeastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Strategic Dialogue was inaugurated in 2018 , and the previous round was held in Washington in February 2024. The fact that the next one is taking place in Athens, with the physical presence of the head of the State Department and amidst three open international fronts, is not a procedural detail. It is a message , and it is addressed to more than one recipient.
