Greece and the US Hold Sixth Strategic Dialogue in Athens: Counterterrorism Information-Sharing Deal, $4 Billion for Greek Defense Plan, LNG Corridor in Focus
ATHENS — Greece and the United States held the sixth round of their Strategic Dialogue in Athens on October 7. During his visit, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio co-chaired the dialogue with Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis and met Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Maximos Mansion, with both sides agreeing to deepen cooperation on energy, security and cultural heritage, according to Reuters and Greek outlet GTP Headlines. Mitsotakis described bilateral relations as being at an all-time high.
Security produced concrete deliverables. Speaking alongside Gerapetritis, Rubio announced a new memorandum of understanding establishing a joint security program to strengthen counterterrorism information-sharing between the two countries' law-enforcement agencies, calling Greece a strong and model NATO ally while noting its exposure to mass migration and human trafficking. A joint statement said the sides agreed to deepen defense ties, bolster trade and investment, and promote cultural ties, and that Greece would receive $4 billion to support a long-term defense plan to increase interoperability between the two militaries and explore defense industrial-base cooperation. Greece will also join the U.S. National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program, pairing with the Florida National Guard, while Greece's acquisition of U.S. Stryker vehicles, upgrades to its F-16 fleet and plans to integrate F-35 fighter jets featured in defense talks.
Energy formed the second main track. Both countries emphasized the Vertical Gas Corridor, the route that moves natural gas entering Greece — including U.S. liquefied natural gas — onward to Central and Eastern Europe. In his October 11 weekly review, Mitsotakis said the Vertical Corridor strengthens Greece's prospects of becoming a hub for transporting natural gas to the European market while creating opportunities for greater use of American LNG; Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou called the project one of national importance and European significance. The involvement of American energy companies in Greek hydrocarbon exploration and regional infrastructure was also discussed, against the backdrop of Europe's drive to diversify away from Russian gas and Athens' pitch that Greece now provides energy security to its northern neighbors.
The agenda also covered the Middle East, Ukraine, shipping and cultural heritage. Gerapetritis said Greece was willing to offer maritime aid in the Strait of Hormuz if a viable peace process emerges there. The Strategic Dialogue, launched in 2018, is the institutional platform of the bilateral relationship, and this round formed part of Rubio's three-country NATO tour continuing to Lisbon — with Greece's hub position in Eastern Mediterranean security and Europe's energy map remaining the shared bet of both governments.
Sources: Compiled from Reuters reporting of October 7, 2026 (via Defense News) and GTP Headlines reporting of October 7 and 12, 2026.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 雅典马克西莫斯宫（希腊总理官邸），门前悬挂希腊与欧盟旗帜，PicturePrince 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0（Wikimedia Commons）
