US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits Athens for strategic dialogue
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Athens on the evening of October 6, 2026, to lead the US delegation for the sixth round of the Greece-US Strategic Dialogue. His visit, which excludes a stop in Turkey, signals the deepening autonomy of Greek-American relations. Mr. Rubio met with Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis on October 7 to discuss regional stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean, with plans to meet Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis later in the day.
Key discussion points include energy security, specifically the Vertical Corridor intended to supply US liquefied natural gas to the Balkans and Central Europe. Defense cooperation is a primary focus, including the finalization of the F-35 fighter jet acquisition and the upgrade of F-16 aircraft to the Viper configuration. Additionally, Mr. Rubio is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Pnyx, emphasizing the renewal of Western values in an era of great power competition. This dialogue underscores Greece's position as a strategic hub for energy and security, with ongoing projects involving corporations such as ExxonMobil and Chevron in the region.