Last update: 13:18
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Nikos Dendias, and the US State Secretary, Mike Pompeo, held a meeting in Thessaloniki.
The meeting started at 9:30 in the morning and concluded at 10:20 in a room of the hotel where the large US mission is staying, with the two ministers bumping elbows instead of shaking hands, observing the protection measures against COVID-19.
Mtg b/w FM @NikosDendias & @SecPompeo in #Thessaloniki-???? Strategic Dialogue, strengthening coop, regional dvpts,Eastern Mediterranean in focus/Συνάντηση ΥΠΕΞ Ν.Δένδια με Αμερικανό ΥΠΕΞ–???? Στρατηγικός Διάλογος, ενίσχυση συνεργασίας, περιφ. ζητήματα, Αν.Μεσόγειος στο επίκεντρο pic.twitter.com/kLi316UGQp
— Υπουργείο Εξωτερικών (@GreeceMFA) September 28, 2020
Always fantastic to see Greek Foreign Minister @nikosdendias. Today in Thessaloniki, we discussed the enduring strength of the U.S.-Greece relationship, the Western Balkans, and de-escalation of tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. pic.twitter.com/lKVV3yJjxN
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) September 28, 2020
The meeting was also attended by, among others, the Deputy Foreign Minister in charge of Economic Diplomacy, Kostas Frangogiannis, and the US Ambassador to Greece, Geoffrey Pyatt, who received Mike Pompeo last night upon his arrival in Thessaloniki.
Issues of bilateral, regional and international interest, with emphasis on Greece-US Strategic Dialogue, defense and energy cooperation dominated the meeting as well as the developments in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region.
In a tweet shortly before leaving Washington on Sunday, Pompeo, who is the first US Secretary of State to visit Thessaloniki, said: “Back on the road and heading to Europe to reinforce our strong bilateral relationships and the importance of sustained regional cooperation. First stop: Thessaloniki, Greece.”
Back on the road and heading to Europe to reinforce our strong bilateral relationships and the importance of sustained regional cooperation. First stop: Thessaloniki, Greece. pic.twitter.com/eoIqdGmHso
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) September 27, 2020
Mike Pompeo arrived shortly after midnight at the Thessaloniki Airport “Makedonia” and after his meeting with the Greek foreign minister will also participate in a round table discussion on energy at the headquarters of the Federation of Industries of Greece, in the presence of the Minister of Environment and Energy, Kostis Hatzidakis. Afterwards, an agreement on scientific and technological cooperation will be signed between Greece and the USA, in the presence of the Minister of Development, Adonis Georgiadis.
Thrilled to be back in Greece, a vital U.S. partner with whom we share a common strategic vision. The strength of our bilateral relationship is at an all-time high, and I’m looking forward to a productive visit. pic.twitter.com/8UZIAj6jtk
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) September 28, 2020
The visit of the head of US diplomacy, who is accompanied by his spouse, Susan, will end with his visit to the Jewish Museum in Thessaloniki.
The US Secretary of State will speak at a business conference on energy this afternoon.
Then he will travel to Chania where he will be hosted by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at his family home.
The prime minister and the US Secretary of State will have the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues related to developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, defense, security and investment, while tomorrow, among other things, they will visit the US base in Souda to underline the strong US security partnership with Greece.
Government Spokesman Stelios Pestas said: “The visit of the US Secretary of State, the second visit in just one year, reflects the key role played by Thessaloniki as a development center for the Balkans, and Souda as a region for geostrategic planning in the East Mediterranean and the Middle East.”
Source: ANA-MPA
