Greece says renewed defence deal with US to protect sovereignty of both
A renewed defence cooperation deal between the US and Greece is designed to mutually safeguard and protect the sovereignty of each country, its Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said on Thursday.
“The revision of the mutual defence cooperation agreement we will sign in a few minutes is symbolically and substantially the foundation of our long-term partnership,” Dendias said from Washington where he signed an agreement with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken which renews a defence cooperation deal for five years.
The United States has several military bases in Greece and the amendment will allow their defence agreement to “remain in force” indefinitely, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a news conference in Washington, alongside Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.
“We’re strengthening our defense cooperation today,” Blinken said. “This update will allow the agreement to remain in force indefinitely. And it enables our forces in Greece to train and operate from additional locations.”
The deal comes a few weeks after Greece signed a new defence pact with France that will allow them to come to each other’s aid in the event of an external threat, but which has stirred further tensions with Turkey.
[Reuters]
