Rubio urges European strength and announces U.S.-Greece pact

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged European nations to strengthen their national capabilities and alliances in a speech in Athens on Wednesday, while announcing a U.S.-Greece agreement to share information on drug trafficking and terrorism. The agreement’s terms and implementation timeline were not disclosed in the reports. Speaking beneath the Acropolis, Rubio described the West as being at an inflection point and said decisions made in the coming decade would shape its future. He argued that the United States under President Donald Trump had chosen to pursue national power by securing supply chains, rebuilding domestic industry and defense, and competing for leadership in future technologies and industries. Rubio called on Europe to awaken from what he characterized as a long slumber. He pointed to what he described as increased defense spending, new partnerships and expanded manufacturing in Europe as encouraging signs, while urging countries to renew confidence in their national traditions.