The US military presence in Greece is reinforced

The hospitality of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the paternal home of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis does not go unnoticed by internationalists or geostrategy analysts. This is a very promising move, the main element of which is the transformation of Souda into a permanent berth for the massive warship USS Hershel “Woody” Williams, from which helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can operate in large-scale operations. scale. . As a result of this movement, the support capabilities of the base are being improved.

This is the second time that Mike Pompeo has visited our country in a year and this shows the strong ties that are developing between the two countries. Also important is the fact that Pompeo will not go to Turkey, as usual, by American politicians after each of his trips to Greece.

It should be noted that it has been decided to operate a new, second port in Crete, in Souda, with a function similar to that of Salamina, so that the Headquarters of the Administration of the Eastern Mediterranean (SDAM) acquires not only institutional but also operational weight. The United States is interested in assisting in the formation of the SDAM, where there is already a plan of the General Staff of the Navy, while the update of the capabilities of the Souda base may be an opportunity to accelerate the formation of the Naval Station of the Cretan Navy.

Pompeo’s presence in Souda today is clearly linked to the decision of the United States to further increase its military presence in all the bases included in the renewal and enrichment of the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA) signed last October and in the next few days it will be extended for another year (renewals are still annual). In this context, not only the Souda base, but also the Larissa air base, as well as the helicopter base in Stefanovikeio, will be equipped.

Pompeo’s message in Turkey

There is also US interest in investing in industrial units (Shipyards or ADA) while claiming a sub-construction project that will include important orders from the Armed Forces (ED). The Americans also claim to undertake the construction of four new MMCS multifunction frigates and the upgrade of the four MEKOs of the PN

Already, during yesterday’s meeting between Mike Pompeo and Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias in Thessaloniki, the US Secretary of State clarified that international law is essential for the delimitation of maritime zones, thus sending a clear message to Ankara.

Pompeo expressed hope that the explorations would be successful. “The way to resolve the conflict is not through a show of force or a show of power, but through dialogue, through systems, agreements, international conversations. This is how these maritime disputes should be resolved. We have seen the Greeks move in this direction trying to achieve this. We hope the Turkish government sees it the same way … We are not just talking, we must find good solutions, we must resolve these conflicts in a way that reflects the fundamental rights of the citizens of Greece, as well as of people throughout the world. world, ”said Pompeo, among others.