Greek Foreign Affairs Minister Nikos Dendias and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed the five-year upgraded renewal of the two countries’ Mutual Defense and Cooperation Agreement (MDCA) on Thursday.
The two ministers signed the MDCA during a special ceremony at the Benjamin Franklin diplomatic reception room in the Harry S. Truman Federal Building, at the Department of State’s headquarters.
The renewal of the agreement will allow Washington to invest in Greece and Greek diplomatic sources say it stands as a strategic, geopolitical alliance between the two countries.
Prime Minister Mitsotakis released a statement, welcoming the agreement, which he said “seals the quantitative and qualitative upgrade of Greek-American relations.”
It is also “a resounding vote of confidence in Greece as a pillar of stability and security in our troubled region,” he said.
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The US is choosing to enhance its strategic presence in crucial parts of Greece, from Evros in the north to Crete in the south, Mr Mitsotakis said. It is also investing in the upgrade of existing military facilities in the country, and “is committing to help Greece tackle any threat or challenge.”
Signing the MDCA is the result of the government’s methodical and frequently unobtrusive policy over the last two years, Mr Mitsotakis said.
Mr Blinken said the agreement would allow the NATO allies to advance security in the Eastern Mediterranean region and beyond. The agreement has allowed US forces to train and operate within Greece since 1990.