US and Greece sign counter-terrorism pact as Rubio defends Ambassador Guilfoyle in Athens

Sixth Strategic Dialogue opens in Athens

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Athens on Tuesday evening, 6 October 2026, traveling from Iceland on a European tour. On Wednesday, 7 October 2026, Rubio met Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the two officials opened the sixth round of the US-Greece Strategic Dialogue. The bilateral cooperation framework, originally established in 2018, last convened in Washington in February 2024. Rubio also scheduled discussions with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, focusing on energy transit, regional stability, emerging technology, and defence cooperation.

Counter-terrorism pact and defence ties

During their joint appearance on Wednesday, Rubio and Gerapetritis announced a new memorandum of understanding establishing a joint security programme. The agreement aims to increase counter-terrorism intelligence sharing between Greek and American law enforcement agencies, addressing shared concerns over mass migration, human trafficking, and the illicit trade of antiquities to the United States. Rubio framed the initiative as a measure to protect regional stability amid ongoing geopolitical conflicts.

We do not want under any circumstances to see the birthplace of the West threatened by bad decisions, by inaction, by failure to address challenges. So this programme is going to create stronger, more proactive, law enforcement that can readily stop these threats.

Bilateral talks also covered broader military cooperation under the Mutual Defence Cooperation Agreement. Gerapetritis pointed to the ongoing upgrade of Greece's F-16 Viper fleet and the planned integration of fifth-generation F-35 fighter aircraft into the Hellenic Air Force. On the maritime front, Greece currently commands a European Union mission protecting commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Gerapetritis stated that Athens is prepared to provide maritime assistance in the Strait of Hormuz if a viable regional peace process is established.

Energy corridors and regional infrastructure

Discussions between the delegations extended to natural gas infrastructure and cross-border electricity links. The talks evaluated liquefied natural gas imports alongside planned electricity interconnection projects, specifically the Greece-Egypt and Greece-Cyprus-Israel subsea cables. Rubio stated that Greek security is directly tied to Western security, citing recent turmoil in the Strait of Hormuz and Iran. When asked about American backing for cross-border power links, Rubio noted that diversified routes are necessary to prevent energy disruptions, adding that sensitive multinational situations may be addressed through diplomacy and private initiatives.

Response to controversy around US ambassador

The visit took place alongside scrutiny in Washington over US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle. Reports published by The Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times alleged that during a March dinner with Greek officials, Guilfoyle claimed the United States was involved in unseating Romania's centre-right government and suggested Washington could similarly undermine Mitsotakis's conservative cabinet. The Greek government denied that such threats occurred. In Washington, Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Democratic congressional leaders asked the State Department to review Guilfoyle's conduct, including her meetings with a lobbyist promoting natural gas ventures via south-eastern Europe's vertical corridor.

When asked at the Athens press conference whether he had reviewed the ethics allegations, Rubio declined to discuss congressional inquiries directly, instead defending the ambassador and embassy staff.

This is not the forum where we are going to address that topic, quite simply. Suffice to say that our embassy here does a terrific job. Our ambassador has been a strong ambassador.