Ministry of Defense: “Greeks will not participate in operations in the USA”

With its announcement, the Ministry of Defense responds to the reports that have to do with the ratification of the memoranda with the USA, which include, among other things, the deployment and placement of Greek defense personnel in the American army.

Furthermore, it is categorically stated that there is no question of Greek Officials participating in US military operations or “involvement in Russia’s war with Ukraine”.

In detail, the Ministry of Defense states:

“Regarding the publications on the Memoranda filed in Parliament for the placement of Defense Personnel of the Hellenic Republic in the US Special Operations Command and the deployment/placement of Greek Defense Personnel in USAREUR Units (the US Forces in Europe), the following is clarified:

– The Memoranda absolutely promote the national interest and are made at the initiative of the Greek side, They contribute to the consolidation of the strategic defense partnership between Greece and the USA and to the international consolidation of our country’s role as a factor of peace and stability in the wider region.

– The possibility of placing two Greek Soldiers in positions of the US Special Operations Command, as well as the possibility of placing/deployment of three Greek Soldiers in USAREUR Units (the American Forces in Europe), is foreseen. The aim is to acquire valuable experience in the respective Staffs, as well as necessary know-how for the reform of the Armed Forces in our country, so that they meet the needs of the 21st century.

– This is an exercise of Greece’s unilateral right.

Their placement is done on a non-reciprocal basis and the US does not acquire a claim to place similar personnel in our country’s Armed Forces.

– The negotiation process has begun, regarding the Agreement for the placement of two Greek Soldiers in positions in the US Special Operations Command in 2019, while for the placement/detachment of three Greek Soldiers in USAREUR Units (the US Forces in Europe) it began in 2015, on of governance SYRIZA/ANEL. And the second Agreement was deemed nationally beneficial by the current Government and the process for its completion continued.

– There is no question of Greek Officers participating in US military operations or “involvement in the war in Ukraine”, as is evident both from the start of the talks with the US (2015 and 2019 respectively), but also from the explicit safeguards that exist. In articles 3.5 and 3.6 of both Memoranda, it is expressly stated that the deployed personnel will not participate in exercises, political-military actions as well as official deployments”.