A delegation from the US Congress is set to meet with Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis at the Greek Foreign Ministry at noon on Thursday. Joining the talks between Greece’s top diplomat and the delegation, led by Senator Rick Scott, is expected to be Joshua Huck, who took over as head of the US Embassy following the dismissal of Kimberly Guilfoyle.
The congressional delegation’s visit comes hot on the heels of Marco Rubio’s trip to Athens and the sixth round of the Greece-US Strategic Dialogue, at a time when the two countries have agreed to step up their contacts. According to sources, however, the meeting had been scheduled well in advance.
Today’s discussions are expected to cover the full range of bilateral issues, building on the recent reaffirmation of the excellent state of Athens–Washington relations and the deep historical ties between the two countries. Regional developments will also be on the table, with a particular focus on the situation in the Middle East, Iran, and Ukraine.
Senator Rick Scott, who heads the delegation, has in the past voiced strong opposition to Turkey’s readmission to the F-35 program, despite public commitments made by President Trump to his Turkish counterpart.
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The meeting in Athens comes at a particularly critical juncture for the United States, which is rapidly heading toward the November 3 midterm elections — a vote that, by all indications, will go a long way toward shaping the momentum of Trump’s second term.