Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis was received in Washington late on Friday afternoon with new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a meeting that came after the “fireworks” with the now infamous White House exchange between Donald Trump, US Vice-President J.D. Vance and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to reports, Greece’s role in promoting regional energy network and prospects for future cooperation with Washington were at the forefront of talks.
In my meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Gerapetritis today, we discussed what we can accomplish together as partners, NATO Allies, and during Greece’s term at the UNSC. We also discussed Greece’s security and energy leadership in the Eastern Mediterranean and prospects for… pic.twitter.com/rZgMMMh3La
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 1, 2025
Gerapetritis later said his first official meeting with Rubio witnessed a wide-ranging 45-minute discussion on issues ranging from bilateral relations, regional cooperation to the international landscape.
“We discussed the strategic relationship between Greece and the United States, and the very high point where bilateral relations are today as well as the margin for them to grow even more with the new US administration at all levels: in the economy, in tourism, in trade, in energy, in people-to-people relations. The Greek diaspora has always been a very strong axis in the United States, a bridge that unites the two peoples. We also discussed with the Secretary of State issues that concern Ukraine and the Middle East,” he said.
The Greek minister added that Europe remains steadfast over a fair and viable solution for the Ukrainian people, speaking hours after the very public and unprecedent “flare-up” at the White House.
At the same time, he said Europe must upgrade its defense infrastructure, although US support remains necessary.
Δήλωση Υπουργού Εξωτερικών, Γιώργου Γεραπετρίτη, στην ΕΡΤ και τους Έλληνες ανταποκριτές μετά το πέρας της συνάντησής του με τον Υπουργό Εξωτερικών των ΗΠΑ, Marco Rubio
🔗 https://t.co/XzOUSHDAN8 pic.twitter.com/0zoecewtVK
— Υπουργείο Εξωτερικών (@GreeceMFA) March 1, 2025
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce later added that:
“Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis today and reaffirmed the strategic importance of the U.S.-Greece partnership. Greece is a valued NATO Ally and critical to regional stability. They discussed the importance of confronting illegal migration.
“The United States applauds Greece’s strong commitment to defense spending and the Secretary welcomed Greece’s presence on the UN Security Council for its 2025-2026 term.
“The Secretary and Foreign Minister Gerapetritis also discussed Greece’s leadership in regional energy projects and prospects for future cooperation.”
