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The following statement was issued by the governments of the United States and Greece on the occasion of the Fifth Strategic Dialogue.
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The Strategic Dialogue will play a role in accelerating the deepening of cooperation between the United States and Greece. Both countries used the Fifth Strategic Dialogue to emphasize the expansion of bilateral and transatlantic relations based on shared democratic values and interests. On February 9, 2024, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis held consultations featuring high-level representatives between the two countries’ government agencies.
During this year’s dialogue, Greece signed the Artemis Accords, becoming the 35th party to do so. Under the principles of the Artemis Accords, the United States and Greece affirm their shared commitment to a common vision of peaceful, sustainable, and transparent cooperation in space. Foreign Minister Gerapetritis signed the agreement on behalf of Greece. Greece and the United States reaffirm their intention to continue and strengthen cooperation in the following areas:
regional issues
The United States and Greece renew their commitment to promoting stability, peace, and prosperity in Europe and the region, especially in the wake of the October 7 attack on Israel and violent acts by the Houthis that threaten red shipping and navigational rights and freedoms. I made it. The sea, and Russia’s war against Ukraine. The two governments reaffirmed their shared values and commitment to democracy, and the need to resolve disputes diplomatically, respect sovereignty, and abide by international law, including the law of the sea. The United States is committed to continued engagement between Greece and Turkiye, including the Fifth High-Level Cooperation Council meeting in Athens on December 7, 2023, and the signing of the Greece-Turkii Declaration on Friendship and Good Neighborhood Relations. welcomed.
The United States and Greece continue to promote regional integration, the rule of law, good neighborliness, stability and security in the Western Balkans and Eastern Mediterranean region, and cooperation through the 3+1 format (Greece, Cyprus, Israel, plus the United States) I intend to do so. state). In light of regional development, deepening 3+1 cooperation and linking it with other regional cooperation initiatives will promote regional economic growth, sustainable development and stability. The United States expressed gratitude for Greece’s humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Strong support for Israel. He announced Greece’s participation in Operation Prosperity Guardian and praised Greece’s leading role in the EU’s new maritime operation EUNAVFOR Aspides. The two governments discussed the importance of supporting Ukraine and emphasized their unwavering commitment to and respect for the fundamental principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. The two countries planned to further strengthen the already good cooperation at the United Nations, noting Greece’s candidacy for the UN Security Council in 2025/26.
defense and security
Both countries reaffirmed the importance of expanding and deepening bilateral strategic defense cooperation. The two leaders reiterated their mutual firm determination to protect and protect the security, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of their respective countries. The two leaders also emphasized their commitment to strengthen security cooperation through Greece’s military modernization efforts and continued support in the procurement of defense articles such as F35 and C-130H aircraft as well as Littoral Combat Ships as an EDA grant transfer. I look forward to your cooperation. The United States and Greece discussed the potential mutual benefits of co-designing and co-producing the Constellation-class frigate, including economic benefits to Greek shipyards and collaboration between the two countries’ defense innovation ecosystems. The United States praised Greece for spending more than 3.5% of its GDP on defense, of which more than 45% went to purchasing and modernizing key equipment, exceeding the Wales summit commitment. The United States noted the continued success of the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA), which enhances NATO’s ability to protect the southeast flank and provides strategically important access, bases, and overflights for U.S. forces. In this regard, the Leaders welcomed infrastructure development projects such as in Souda, Larissa and Alexandroupoli. Greece and the United States noted the increasing number of U.S. forces operating in solidarity with Greek forces through multilateral joint training and exercises in support of the NATO alliance. The United States and Greece emphasized the strategic importance of the Port of Alexandroupoli as a key hub for logistics, energy and supply chains.
Humanitarian challenges and disaster preparedness
The United States and Greece discussed emergency planning and wildfire preparedness, including Greece’s contribution to the EU civil protection mechanism. The United States welcomed the participation of Greek firefighters on a study tour to the United States and expressed interest in renewing disaster response cooperation. They emphasized the need to find sustainable solutions to tackle migration and refugee flows affecting both Europe and the United States. The United States highlighted its safe movement initiative in collaboration with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to establish access to services based on specific humanitarian and protection needs. Greece also outlined relevant bilateral agreements and stressed the importance of providing more legal migration routes. Greece highlighted the challenges faced by frontline countries in the Mediterranean in accepting large numbers of migrants and asylum seekers while ensuring effective protection of the EU’s external borders.
energy and environment
The two countries emphasized continued cooperation on energy security and shared common interests in improving regional interconnectivity to diversify energy routes and types, including renewable energy, where Greece is emerging as a European leader. emphasized the goal. Cooperation in developing Greece’s renewable energy infrastructure is a shared priority to strengthen Greece’s future as a renewable energy exporter through the Green Age initiative. Additionally, the United States is supporting Greece’s efforts to advance power interconnection projects in the Eastern Mediterranean, helping to promote energy security and clean energy in Europe. The United States welcomes Greece’s accession to the Three Seas Initiative as an important step toward promoting regional energy cooperation and strengthening the North-South Corridor. The United States commends Greece’s leadership and preparations as host of the 9th Our Ocean Conference in April 2024, and affirms the United States’ commitment to support Greece’s planning efforts and the organizers’ priorities, including green transportation. repeated. Both countries emphasized the importance of integrating youth into climate change mitigation and resilience, including through the Youth Corps Exchange Program, which links the California Conservation Corps and the Greek non-governmental organization Ecogenia, funded by the U.S. Embassy in Athens.
Law enforcement and counterterrorism
The United States and Greece will discuss continued law enforcement cooperation and build on success in these areas, with both countries working on mutual legal assistance, extradition, joint training, and subject matter exchange to address complex challenges. Reviewed. The United States praised Greece’s role as a regional leader in strategically advancing aviation security through the development of passenger intelligence sectors in several Western Balkan countries. The discussion further highlights that Greece’s efforts to combat emerging threats such as cybersecurity, threats to critical infrastructure, money laundering and terrorism are succeeding through the issuance of new biometric IDs and passports. , both countries confirmed their efforts to combat human trafficking and strengthen cybersecurity. Promote regional air security and intelligence sharing in the Western Balkans and collaborate through the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.
trade and investment
The United States and Greece celebrated a strong year in trade and investment, highlighting progress in the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council. The two leaders discussed a $125 million loan to ONEX Elefsis Shipyards by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). This is the first agreement in Greece. Both countries acknowledged Greece’s economic development and continued efforts to institutionalize a foreign direct investment screening mechanism aimed at protecting Greece’s national security and means of access to Europe. Greece includes the Women in Technology Network in Thessaloniki, which supports and empowers women working and studying in technology, conducts recruitment and outreach, and advocates for policy change at local and national levels. , praised U.S.-backed workplace integration efforts. The United States congratulated Greece on record numbers of tourists, especially from the United States, in 2023, recognizing the importance of this key sector of the economy to continued economic growth and jobs. Greece stressed the importance of ensuring high levels of air connectivity to maintain and enhance bilateral tourism flows.
connections between people
The United States and Greece reaffirmed the deep and enduring ties between our peoples and our shared commitment to democracy, innovation, and expanding educational opportunity for all people, regardless of background or ability. The two leaders recognized the important role of education and culture as drivers of economic growth and emphasized the need to maintain academic openness and transparency in international higher education and research cooperation. The United States and Greece reaffirmed their determination to strengthen cooperation in the field of education, including increasing exchange opportunities for U.S. and Greek students. Both countries reaffirm their commitment to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in educational and cultural cooperation and share best practices in inclusive education, including special needs education, universal design for learning and teaching, and early intervention. He emphasized the opportunity to The United States and Greece welcomed increased bilateral cooperation in the return of illegally obtained artifacts to Greece. Both countries agreed to consider ways to further raise awareness against anti-Semitism and racism. The leaders agreed to work on Holocaust education, including establishing a Holocaust museum and memorial park in Thessaloniki, and to jointly oversee the Arolsen Archive on Nazi Persecution as a partner in an international commission chaired by Greece in 2024. We reaffirmed our commitment to The countries and Greece discussed opportunities to partner to protect cultural heritage from the effects of climate change. The United States welcomed Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ commitment to continue implementing the National Action Plan to legislate marriage equality and expand protections for LGBTQI+ people in Greece.
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