It is with great satisfaction and a sense of responsibility that I welcome the new 5-year Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA) between Greece and the United States. The signing of this agreement seals the quantitative and qualitative upgrade of relations between Greece and the US. At the same time, it is a resonant vote of confidence in our country as a pillar of stability and security in our turbulent region.
Henceforth the US shall reinforce its strategic footprint in Greece in areas of critical importance, from Evros to Crete, doing so while going through a period of recalibrating its international interests. The US is also boosting its defense investments in current facilities. Moreover, it commits to jointly tackling threats and provocations against our country.
This is a success for Greece, the government and the Minister of Foreign Affairs who is signing the renewal of the agreement with his US counterpart as we speak; even more so since the signing of this agreement is accompanied by a letter of the Secretary of State, Mr Blinken, through which the US declare the need for Greece’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and sovereign rights to be respected, on the basis of the International Law of the Sea.
After the strategic partnership agreement struck with France that includes a mutual defence clause, our country is adding one more link to its chain of bilateral alliances; shielding its national interests and its dynamic geopolitical role; reinforcing the common European defense as well as transatlantic ties. But it is also signing agreements that convey messages for peace and stability.
Today’s positive development is the outcome of a methodical and out of the limelight government policy, which has been steadily developing for two years now, revolving around energetic diplomacy and defence alertness. With the security and progress of our country as its primary concern and international law, peace and the cooperation between peoples everywhere, especially in the Mediterranean, as its undeviating compass.
