A high-level US Pentagon delegation was in Athens on Thursday for talks with Greek defense ministry leadership, what Washington calls a "High Level Consultative Committee (HLCC)" dialogue.
In a press release issued by the US embassy in Athens, it noted that the contacts were the 18th such meeting within the HLCC process, with the US delegation led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO Policy Thomas W. Goffus and Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Jonathan Cohen.
The press release added that discussed topics included "... areas of shared strategic interest such as stabilizing NATO’s Southern and Eastern Flanks, NATO coalition operations, and opportunities to deepen cooperation in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean. We also discussed the U.S. National Defense Strategy, Greek views on regional security challenges, and our ongoing and robust bilateral defense cooperation. "
Additionally, the US side expressed appreciation for allowing the US navy access to facilities and the anchorage at Souda Bay, Crete, as well as the recession-battered Greek state's continued defense spending above 2 percent of annual GDP.
