On Friday, 07 October 2022, within the framework of his official visit to the United States of America, the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikolaos Chardalias, had a meeting at the State Department with the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Mr. Dereck J. Hogan.
During the meeting, which took place in a very cordial atmosphere, Mr. Chardalias and Mr. Hogan reaffirmed the long-standing and strong historical, political, and cultural bonds between the two countries, which stem from their Western heritage, as well as the excellent level of relations which constitutes a landmark for further enhancement of bilateral cooperation in multiple areas. They also stressed the close relationship of Greece and the US as allies and partners in NATO and other international organisations.
The two discussed matters of mutual interest, mainly the enhancement of the close Greece – US military cooperation, which is at its highest, particularly after the signing of the Second Amendment Protocol of the Mutual Defence Cooperation Agreement (MDCA). Particular emphasis was laid on the use of the facilities in Souda, Alexandroupolis, Larissa, and Stefanovikio to support US and allied forces, as well as on the strategic value of the port of Alexandroupolis which, not only proved critical for the provision of support to NATO following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but also emerged as a main regional energy hub for the Balkans, reducing their dependence on Russian natural gas.
Furthermore, they discussed the current situation and security challenges facing Greece due to the revisionist tendencies emerging in the East Mediterranean region, the developments in Libya, and the matter of the illegal new memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Libya in the area of hydrocarbons, as well as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its consequences for regional and global stability.
Within the framework of his contacts with the Greek Diaspora, the Deputy Minister of National Defence hosted a working dinner with the President of the American Hellenic Institute (AHI), Mr. Nick Larigakis, with whom he discussed the latest important initiatives of the institute and whom he thanked for the excellent cooperation and contribution of the AHI to the strengthening of the Greece – US strategic relationship.
The dinner was also attended by the Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr. Theodoros Bizakis, the Greek Defence Attaché to the US, and the Army, Navy, and Air Force Attachés to the Embassy of Greece in the US.
