Secretary Rubio visits Greece, the Strategic Dialogue, and the region's Turkey dilemma
Athens was buzzing this week as Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Greece. His speech with the Acropolis in the background made headlines around the world, and his emphasis on Greece’s role as “a source of stability in an unstable world" and a “model ally” did not go unnoticed.
Beyond Rubio’s comments, his visit coincided with the 6th US-Greece Strategic Dialogue, reflecting the excellent level of relations between the two countries and their commitment to deepening their already close ties and promoting regional stability. As discussions unfolded, defense and energy took center stage.
On security and defense, highlights included a $4 billion agreement for advanced US military equipment, establishing links between the Greek armed forces and the Florida National Guard, and expanding law enforcement and counterterrorism cooperation.
On energy, the Vertical Gas Corridor and the Great Sea Interconnector, particularly the latter, dominated the news cycle. In an interview with Kathimerini, Secretary Rubio stated that the GSI, which is set to link the electricity grids of Greece, Cyprus, and Israel, and which Turkey is keen to disrupt, was an “important priority” for the US.
Rubio also addressed important questions related to Turkey, stating that he believed a Greek-Turkish crisis would be “unimaginable” and something the US could “never allow to happen.” He also made it clear that any sale of F-35s to Turkey was off the table until the strict conditions laid out under US law are met.
Turkey’s behavior is a particular concern for countries in the region and Turkey observers, as President Erdogan adopts an increasingly revisionist posture across the Eastern Mediterranean, from Syria and the Horn of Africa to the Aegean.
Elena Lazarou, Endy Zemenides, Vassilis Nedos, Sinan Ciddi, and Tyler Stapleton join Thanos Davelis this week as we dig into the Rubio visit and the challenge Turkey poses to the region.
A little more info on our guests:
Elena Lazarou is the Director General of ELIAMEP.
Endy Zemenides is the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council
Vassilis Nedos is Kathimerini’s diplomatic and defense editor.
Sinan Ciddi is a senior fellow at FDD and director of its Turkey program.
Tyler Stapleton is the senior director of government relations at FDD Action.
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