Marco Rubio: The United States and Greece will intensify the exchange of counterterrorism information through a new joint mechanism for law enforcement agencies

The United States and Greece will step up counterterrorism intelligence sharing through a new joint mechanism for law enforcement agencies, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday during an official visit to Athens. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation against common threats, including terrorism, illegal migration and human trafficking.

Marco Rubio and Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding establishing a joint security program. The US secretary of state described Greece as a “strong and exemplary NATO ally” and highlighted the country’s strategic importance for security in the eastern Mediterranean.

Greece hosts military facilities that are essential to the United States and leads a European Union maritime mission aimed at protecting commercial shipping in the Red Sea. During the talks, Gerapetritis said Athens was prepared to provide maritime support in the Strait of Hormuz if a viable peace process were established in the region.

Rubio said Iran had completely lost control of the strait and that oil traffic had returned to nearly its pre-conflict level. The statement was made at the same press conference in Athens.