US and Greece Sign Counterterrorism Data Pact
A new memorandum of understanding formalises intelligence sharing between American and Greek law enforcement, deepening a partnership built over decades.
By The Defense Desk
Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Athens on Wednesday to announce a joint security program establishing counterterrorism information sharing between U.S. and Greek law enforcement agencies — a move framed as a direct response to migration and human trafficking pressures on Greece's borders. [1]
The memorandum of understanding was signed alongside Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis during the sixth round of a U.S.-Greece strategic dialogue that began in 2018. The two sides agreed "to deepen defense ties, bolster trade and investment, and promote cultural ties," according to a joint statement. [1]
Greece would receive $4 billion to support a long-term defense plan to increase interoperability between the two militaries and to "explore future opportunities for defense industrial base cooperation." Greece has been an important NATO ally to the United States, offering key military facilities to safeguard security in the Eastern Mediterranean, and it leads an EU maritime mission to protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea. [1]
The agreement lands at a moment when the Eastern Mediterranean has become one of the more consequential pressure points in transatlantic security — where migration routes, maritime chokepoints, and alliance politics converge in ways that neither side can manage alone.
Rubio's visit was not without friction. U.S. senators expressed concerns over allegations that Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle had threatened that the U.S. could use its influence to undermine the Greek government. Rubio deflected the scrutiny, telling reporters: "Suffice it to say, our embassy here is doing a great job. Our ambassador has been a strong ambassador here." [1]
Greek Foreign Minister Gerapetritis signalled willingness to cooperate with the United States and offer maritime aid in the Strait of Hormuz, contingent on a viable peace process — a conditional offer that leaves the door open without committing Greek assets to an unresolved theater. [1]
Suffice it to say, our embassy here is doing a great job. Our ambassador has been a strong ambassador here.Marco Rubio