For the second time in less than a year, Greece’s Foreign Minister, Giorgos Gerapetritis, is set to cross the threshold of the U.S. State Department for talks with his American counterpart, Marco Rubio, at a particularly critical juncture for the international community.
Although the meeting, scheduled for tomorrow, was officially announced only yesterday as an extraordinary development, it had in fact been in preparation for several days. With an eye firmly on the upcoming Greece–U.S. Strategic Dialogue, the two foreign ministers first spoke by phone nearly four weeks ago, on January 30. That conversation focused on the excellent state of bilateral relations and preparations for the sixth round of the Hellenic–American Strategic Dialogue, expected to take place in Athens by late spring.
As is customary, the call also addressed international and regional developments, particularly in the broader Middle East, including the situation in Gaza. Gerapetritis reiterated Greece’s commitment to actively promoting peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, underscoring Athens’ strong working relationships with all key actors in the region.
In the days that followed, the two sides engaged in another round of informal contacts, reportedly in the context of an invitation extended by former U.S. President Donald Trump on February 11 for Greece to participate in a Peace Council initiative. After sustained consultations between Athens, Washington, and Brussels, Greece ultimately opted to join the body in an observer capacity.
Within this framework, the prospect of another Gerapetritis–Rubio meeting at the State Department appears to have taken clearer shape, effectively serving as a prelude to the formal Strategic Dialogue. According to diplomatic sources, that dialogue is expected to be held in Athens by the end of May, with both sides remaining in close contact to secure a suitable date—primarily in light of the demanding schedule of the U.S. Secretary of State.
Diplomatic sources stress that the new meeting is unrelated to recent remarks by Trump regarding a potential visit to Greece, comments that were also referenced by Kimberly Guilfoyle, who is currently in Washington for a series of meetings at the State Department and the White House.
Beyond preparations for the Strategic Dialogue—which will include discussions on renewing the Greece–U.S. Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA)—the talks are expected to address the escalating crisis in the Middle East amid mounting geopolitical challenges. The issue of Iran is currently at the top of the American agenda.
According to information available, discussions between Gerapetritis and Rubio will also cover Euro-Atlantic relations, broader international developments, energy cooperation, and Greece’s presence in Gaza.
During his stay in Washington, the Greek foreign minister is scheduled to hold additional meetings with U.S. officials and deliver remarks at the Atlantic Council. He is also expected to attend the signing ceremony of an agreement between ONEX Shipyards and Technologies and Hanwha Power Systems.
In any case, tomorrow’s encounter at the State Department underscores the deepening strategic cooperation between Athens and Washington, as well as Greece’s increasingly prominent role on the international stage—a point highlighted by the Greek government spokesperson, who described the meeting as “significant.”
