A new bill promoting Greece's deeper involvement in U.S. military plans has been submitted to the House of Representatives by leaders of the Greek Affairs Group in Congress. The bipartisan initiative, titled the "Act on the Recording of Security Cooperation between the United States and Greece," aims to explore possibilities for expanding the American military presence in Greece, including on the islands.
According to a report from the Athenian Press Agency, this legislation requires the U.S. Secretary of Defense to submit a report to Congress identifying new opportunities to strengthen defense cooperation between the two countries. The report will detail the military base rights established under the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA), which allows U.S. forces access to four additional military bases in Greece.
The bill was introduced by Representatives Grace Meng, Gus Bilirakis, Dina Titus, and Nicole Malliotakis. The lawmakers acknowledge the bill's potentially dangerous implications, as it could further entrench Greece in NATO's military operations. They emphasize that this initiative is particularly critical given the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, which have led the Pentagon to increase its military activity in the region.
The representatives openly recognize that the U.S. and NATO bases in Greece contribute to the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, which could make Greece a target for retaliation. They specifically mention that the activities at the Alexandroupolis and Souda Bay bases are essential for U.S. and NATO power projection throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, Ukraine, and the Middle East, playing a vital role in the logistics of supplying Ukraine.
Grace Meng stated that the bill would "help strengthen the bond between our nations," fostering U.S.-Greece defense relations and supporting NATO efforts to confront adversaries. Gus Bilirakis noted that this cooperation "advances American national security interests" and ensures a "free and stable Europe." Meanwhile, Nicole Malliotakis emphasized that enhancing cooperation "enhances U.S. security," highlighting the strategic importance of locations like Souda Bay and Alexandroupolis.
Alexander Christopher from the American Hellenic Institute remarked that the bill "will allow the U.S. to leverage geostrategic locations in Greece," while Savvas Tsivikos of AHEPA pointed out Greece's significance to U.S. foreign policy in various areas. Notably, nearly a year ago, Representative Grace Meng had proposed a similar version of this legislation as an amendment to the 2024 defense budget bill, which was passed by the House of Representatives.
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