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The broad range of US strategic priorities in Greece, but also the mutual interests of the two countries, in diplomacy, defense, security, trade, investment, telecommunications and energy, are outlined in the joint Athens-Washington statement following the meeting of the Chancellor Nikos Dendias. Mike Pompeo’s American counterpart in Thessaloniki.
“It is always great to see Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.” Today in Thessaloniki, we discussed the current strength of the relationship between the United States and Greece, the Western Balkans and the elimination of tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, “said Mike. Pompeo in a second tweet on Monday, demonstrating the excellent atmosphere in bilateral relations, while a tweet from the US Ambassador in Athens, Jeffrey Payat.
The Athens-Washington Joint Declaration
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo conducted a high-level review of the Strategic Dialogue between the United States and Greece on September 28, 2020, in anticipation of the third (round ) Strategic Dialogue to be held in Washington and the United States in 2021. Greece reaffirms its commitment to the Strategic Dialogue as proof of the excellent bilateral relationship between the two countries. On the occasion of this high-level review, they reaffirmed their mutual desire to deepen cooperation, especially in the areas described below.
Regional cooperation
The United States and Greece have shared views on the eastern Mediterranean and reaffirmed their conviction that maritime delimitation issues must be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law. In this regard, the United States welcomed Greece’s confirmed willingness to work with other countries in the region to reach maritime delimitation agreements through dialogue and in accordance with international law. The United States and Greece have also reiterated their commitment to strengthening their close cooperation as NATO allies, using all appropriate means at their disposal to ensure stability and security in the wider region.
The two parties reiterated their desire to continue and strengthen their cooperation in various fields under the 3 + 1 format (Cyprus, Greece, Israel and the United States), which began in Jerusalem in March 2019, as this cooperation can contribute to the promotion for peace, stability, security and prosperity in the eastern Mediterranean and the wider region. The United States and Greece reiterate their support for the accession of all the Western Balkan countries to the European and transatlantic institutions at the discretion of their citizens. They emphasized Greece’s efforts to this end, noting the continued relevance of the historic Prespa Agreement and the subsequent accession of North Macedonia to NATO, underlining the importance of its consistent implementation in good faith.
Defense and security
Greece and the United States have expressed their intention to further strengthen the strategic defense and security partnership by extending the deepening of the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement between the United States and Greece, which was last updated in October 2019 and contributes significantly to the safety of both. of nations. In the upcoming Strategic Dialogue, both sides intend to discuss how to help each other to maintain strong, capable and interoperable armies.
Law enforcement and fight against terrorism
The United States and Greece have signaled their cooperation in the security field based on a common interest in protecting the security of both nations from terrorists, transnational criminal organizations, and other threats. Despite the global pandemic, excellent police cooperation between the United States and Greece for arrests, seizures, and extraditions continued unabated. In addition, the two countries considered the continuous improvement of information exchange and counter-terrorism cooperation and cooperation in accordance with international standards. They committed to fully implement the 2016 Joint Declaration on Greece’s participation in the visa waiver program, including the initiation of the issuance of an updated national identity card and the full collection and analysis of air passenger data.
Trade and investment
The United States and Greece hope to boost trade and investment between our two countries. The two governments noted that Greece substantially improved protection and enforcement of intellectual property in 2019, resulting in the removal of Greece from Special Report 301 by the US Commerce Office. The United States and Greece welcomed the launch of new investments and acquisitions by US companies in Greece and reaffirmed their commitment to further this trend. The two governments hope to strengthen trade cooperation. The United States and Greece attach great importance to cooperation in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, 5G, and the privatization of strategic infrastructure. The two countries remain committed to enhancing women’s ability to thrive as a workforce, succeed as entrepreneurs, and be in a better position to promote economic growth.
It is always great to see the Greek Foreign Minister @nikosdendias. Today in Thessaloniki, we discussed the enduring strength of the relationship between the United States and Greece, the Western Balkans, and the reduction of tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. pic.twitter.com/lKVV3yJjxN
– Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) September 28, 2020
Energy
The United States and Greece welcomed the completion of the Greek section of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and hoped to discuss at the next Strategic Dialogue their mutual support for the Greece-Bulgaria interconnector (IGB), the work of the only floating in Alexandroupolis , the privatization of the Kavala underground gas storage facility, the Greece-North Macedonia interconnection project and other commercially viable projects, which could include the EastMed pipeline.
Both parties welcomed the official launch of the EastMed Gas Forum on September 22 as a regional body and the continued and successful cooperation in the energy sector through the 3 + 1 process. Greece and the United States underscore ExxonMobil in partnership with Total and Exploration Hellenic Petroleum offshore off the coast of Crete, as well as potential opportunities for US investment in renewable energy, with the recently ratified Greek Law “Modernized Environmental Legislation”.
Person-to-person links
The United States and Greece have reaffirmed the centrality of relations between peoples in their bilateral relations. I hope to mark the centenary of Greece’s independence in 2021, as well as exchange exhibitions and collaborate between museums. The United States and Greece have reaffirmed their intention to strengthen ties between American and Greek universities and to establish new joint dual degree and study abroad programs. Both countries will continue to support ongoing educational and academic exchanges, including the Fulbright program in Greece, which marked its 72nd anniversary in 2020. The United States and Greece have agreed to continue their long-term cooperation in the protection of cultural property. from Greece. Both countries also agreed to work together to develop skills in the creative industries, including the film sector. The United States and Greece also agreed to explore public-private partnerships in culture and technology.
Source: skai.gr
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