A strong message sent toEurope. In front of the Acropolis, an emblematic monument of Antiquity located in Athens (Greece), the head of American diplomacy Marco Rubio called this Wednesday on the Old Continent to come out of “his torpor” and to “rekindle the flame that was lit millennia ago”. In a passionate speech, the American Secretary of State estimated that the western civilization is located “at a turning point”, at the crossroads between “national power” and decline.
A symbolic place
A strong speech in a place that was not chosen at random. At sunset, in front of Greek President Konstantinos Tassoulas, Marco Rubio spoke on Pnyx Hill, an emblematic place in the cradle of European civilization. It is in this very place that theEcclesiathe assembly of citizens of Athens, to debate and vote by show of hands on economic and political decisions.
During his fiery speech, the diplomat assured that the ancient Greeks “understood that power does not consist only of having the means to defend oneself”, but also that it is necessary “have the credibility necessary to show that we are ready to use them”. “This is the classic conception of politics and the art of governing that the Trump administration hopes to rehabilitate”he clarified. A political vision that the American president wishes to expand beyond American borders, “for the whole of our civilization”. To accentuate the symbolic significance of his words, Marco Rubio also made reference to several heroes of Antiquity such as Alexander the Great, but also the conquistador Hernán Cortés.
Alliance between the United States and Greece
The former senator claims that UNITED STATES of Donald Trump have “made the choice to continue without complexes” their “national power” – notably through the control of strategic supply chains, reindustrialization, defense and “struggle to dominate the technologies and industries of the future” – and also calls the Europeans to strengthen their own capacities. Two destinies are offered, according to him, to the West: to preserve “his place at the head of the world” or resign yourself “to a future marked by atrophy, servitude and decline”
The US Secretary of State didn’t just focus on Europe. Arriving in Greece the day before his speech as part of a European tour, Marco Rubio also highlighted “the importance” of the United States’ alliance with the Mediterranean country. A particularly exposed state “ to the threats posed by mass migrations, human trafficking and different forms of terror”, due to its geostrategic position, located on several transit routes.
Participating on the same day in a “strategic dialogue” with Athens on regional and energy security in a context of high tensions caused by the wars in Iran and UkraineMarco Rubio also announced a bilateral agreement concerning the sharing of information in the fight against drug trafficking and terrorism. In the evening, he also met conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
