US,Greece Initiate Strategic Dialogue

The US and Greece are stepping up their relations by holding their first ever Strategic Dialogue from 13-14 December 2018 in Washington,D.C.According to a news release by the Embassy of the Hellenic Republic,the Strategic Dialogue has an agenda including:
Regional affairs and economy;
Defence and Security;
Rule of Law and combatting terrorism;
Commerce-Investment and Innovation;
Energy cooperation;
and People to People ties.*
The Greek delegation will be led by the Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs,Giorgos Katrougalos.On Thursday morning,there will be a first meeting with President Donald Trump's National Security Adviser,John Bolton.The two sides will also release a joint statement.
In the afternoon,Mr.Katrougalos will meet privately with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
On Friday,Mr.Katrougalos will meet with business leaders over a working breakfast,covering attracting business in such areas as energy;digital technology;start-ups;and innovation.
A number of Hellenic Republic deputy ministers are accompanying Mr.Katrougalos to focus on Economy and Development;Digital Policy,Telecommunications and Information;Environment and Energy;Citizen Protection;and Education.Admiral E.Apostolakis,Head of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff,will also participate in the Strategic Dialogue.*
The Strategic Dialogue represents the upgrading of Greek-American relations at all levels,while establishing systematic cooperation between the two sides on a wide range of issues,the Embassy of the Hellenic Republic said.*
In its Integrated Country Strategy,the US sees Greece as:
a pillar of stability in a complicated region.Its position in the Eastern Mediterranean in close proximity to the Balkans,the Black Sea region,North Africa and the Middle East elevates Greece's importance in addressing US national security and energy priorities.
By encouraging Greece to grow its role in the European energy sector and pushing education reform,Embassy Athens will combat global adversaries' attempts to exploit Greece's geopolitical importance and structural vulnerabilities to destabilize the region and incite anti-Western sentiment.