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Greece

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Capital: Athens
Area: 131,957 sq km
Comparative area: slightly smaller than Alabama
Population (July 2011 estimate): 10,760,136
Official language: Greek
International Organizations and Agreements: European Union, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), NATO, United Nations


Greece is a long-standing NATO ally and European Union member. As a leader in the region, Greece has promoted Balkan stability and economic development, supporting Turkey’s bid for accession to the European Union, and supporting the diversification of Europe’s energy supplies.

The United States and Greece have enjoyed robust defense cooperation, dating from the signing of the first defense cooperation agreement in 1953. Greece provides the United States with access to key military installations in the region, most notably at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay, a combined airfield and seaport facility that is the largest deepwater port in the eastern Mediterranean. Greece contributes over 700 troops to the NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR) and 135 troops to the NATO International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, as well as 135 troops to three United Nations peacekeeping missions. Greece has been an active participant in NATO’s Ocean Shield counter-piracy operation providing protection for World Food Program chartered and merchant vessels off the coast of Somalia, and routinely contributes to NATO maritime operations. Greece previously led, and it continues to participate in, the European Union’s “Atalanta” counter-piracy missions.

Related Topics

EUCOM’s value as we move forward in today’s ever-changing world lies in its ability to maintain strong partners while proactively seeking to uncover new partnering opportunities with other countries, U.S. government entities, academics and NGOs to promote a peaceful, stable region.
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International Cooperation

NAVEUR plans, conducts and supports naval operations in the European theater during peacetime and as tasked by the EUCOM commander.
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U.S. Naval Forces Europe

The Military-to-Military Engagement Program (mil-to-mil or M2M) is spearheaded at EUCOM by the J5 though multiple directorates, staff sections, National Guard units, and the component commands have a role carrying out the mission.
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Military-to-Military Engagement Program

U.S. European Command’s mission is to maintain Ready Forces to conduct a full range of operations.
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Ready Forces

One of EUCOM's key activities is to strengthen NATO's collective defense and assist its transformation. This is accomplished through our primary mission of building partner capacity to enhance transatlantic security.
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North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

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