The new US Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, held her first official meeting with Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias on Monday, marking a significant step in strengthening defense cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting at the Defence Ministry, Guilfoyle announced that US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth approved Greece’s entry into the State Partnership Program (SPP) — a longstanding US initiative that pairs allied nations with the US National Guard to support training, capability development and broader cooperation.

Guilfoyle described the move as a major milestone, noting that the partnership will provide Greece with access to new military capabilities and joint training opportunities. She added that the program will help deepen ties not only between the two defense establishments but also across government, business, education and other sectors.

The new relationship with the National Guard [will take] US–Greece cooperation to new heights,” she said, emphasizing her commitment to strengthen bilateral defense relations throughout her tenure.

Dendias echoed this message in his own statement, highlighting discussions on the strategic defense relationship between the two countries and the potential for further expansion of cooperation.