US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives in Athens today, the second stop on a European tour that began in Reykjavik and will end in Lisbon. The focus of his two-day visit is the 6th US-Greece Strategic Dialogue, which will take place tomorrow, with an agenda covering defense, regional security, energy, shipping, technology, trade and investment.
Rubio will meet Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The two foreign ministers are expected to make joint statements following the opening of the Strategic Dialogue. Rubio is also scheduled to deliver a speech at the Pnyx.
The talks are expected to be accompanied by a package of agreements, according to diplomatic sources and media reports. On defense, these include purchases of missiles and self-protection systems for F-35s and upgraded F-16 Vipers, as well as Follow On Support agreements for key weapons systems. Other agreements include restrictions on imports of archaeological material, a letter of intent on cooperation between the Greek Armed Forces and the US National Guard, and the mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificates of competency.
The Secretary of State’s current tour also includes Iceland and Portugal.
Due to Rubio’s visit, the Hellenic Police have announced traffic restrictions and diversions in central Athens, urging people to avoid driving in the city center, particularly on Wednesday. Public outdoor gatherings and motorized marches are also banned in a designated area of central Athens, mainly around Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, Evangelismos, Ilisia and part of Kolonaki, from Wednesday morning until Thursday morning.
Left-wing parties and organizations, trade unions and other groups have announced protests against Rubio’s visit in several cities. In Athens, two main demonstrations have been announced: at 19:00 at Propylaea by extra-parliamentary left-wing organizations and at 19:30 at Syntagma Square by PAME, EEDYE and trade unions. Demonstrations have also been announced in Thessaloniki at 19:00 at the Venizelos Statue, in Volos at 18:30 at Agios Nikolaos Square, in Xanthi at 18:30 at the central square, and in Igoumenitsa and Preveza at 19:00.
Sources: Kathimerini,Ef.Syn., To Vima
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