Regarding the publications on the Memoranda submitted to the Hellenic Parliament for the assignment of Defence personnel of the Hellenic Republic to the US Special Operations Command, and the secondment/assignment of Defence personnel of the Hellenic Republic to USAREUR (US Forces in Europe) Units, the following are provided:

– The Memoranda fully promote our national interests and follow a Greek initiative, they contribute to the consolidation of the Greece – US strategic defence partnership, and the establishment of our country’s role as a peace and stability factor in the broader region, at international level.

– The possibility to assign two Greek military personnel to US Special Operations Command posts, as well as the possibility to assign/second three Greek military personnel to USAREUR (US Forces in Europe) Units is provided. The aim of this is to gain valuable experience at the respective General Staffs, as well as the necessary know-how for the transformation of our country’s Armed Forces, so that they can respond to the needs of the 21st Century.

– It concerns the exercise of Greece’s unilateral right, since their assignment is made on a non-mutual basis, and the US do not acquire a claim to assign respective personnel to the Hellenic Armed Forces.

– The procedure of conclusion, regarding the Agreement for the assignment of two Greek military personnel to US Special Operations Command posts, had started in 2019, while for the secondment/assignment of Defence personnel of the Hellenic Republic to USAREUR (US Forces in Europe) Units had started in 2015, under the SYRIZA/ANEL government. The second Agreement was considered by the current Government as advantageous for the nation, and the procedure for its completion continued.

– There is no issue regarding the participation of Greek Officers to US military operations, or any “engagement in the war of Ukraine”, as shown by the time the discussions with the US begun (2015 and 2019 respectively), as well as by the existent explicit assurances. In art.3.5 and 3.6 of both Memoranda, it is explicitly mentioned that the assigned personnel will not participate in exercises, civil-military activities, or service assignments.