US secretary of state arrives in Greece for talks with PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet with Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens today as the two prepare for the 2019 US-Greece Strategic Dialogue. The dialogue, which will be held on October 7, will focus on defence and security cooperation in the eastern Mediterranean, the Aegean and the Black Sea.
The US relationship with Turkey has deteriorated since 2017, due in large part to Turkey’s purchase of the Russian S-400 missile system. As such, Washington is increasingly looking towards Athens to maintain stability in the Mediterranean.
Security and defence in the eastern Mediterranean used to be dominated by the US. However, recent US focus on the East and South China Seas, coupled with increased Russian naval presence in the Mediterranean, has meant that Washington needs to look to other countries in the region to help maintain its control.
Pompeo is expected to deliver a speech focused on the strengthening of Washington’s bilateral relationship with Athens. Expect the US to especially rely on growing economic ties—like a collaborative gas pipeline project slated to be complete in December—to keep its strategic partner close.
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