Greece signs the Artemis Accords

On February 9, Greece became the 35th country to sign the Artemis Accords. Foreign Minister Georgios Gerapetritis signed the Accords for Greece during the fifth round of the U.S.-Greece Strategic Dialogue, held in Washington, D.C. at the Department of State.  Secretary of State Antony Blinken, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, and President of the Hellenic Space Center Dr. Ioannis Daglis spoke at the signing, welcoming Greece’s commitment to the peaceful, safe and transparent exploration and use of outer space. 

The HSC president delivered the following speech

“Your excellencies,  
Secretary Blinken and Minister Gerapetritis, Administrator Nelson, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,  

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed hosts for organizing this momentous signing ceremony, which marks the accession of Greece to the Artemis Accords. Here in the illustrious Treaty Room, we gather to celebrate a new chapter in international space cooperation. 

On a personal note, please allow me to add that I was delighted to discover the existence of the Benjamin Franklin Room, named after the revered American scientist whose legacy has inspired me since childhood. 

The Artemis Accords stand as a beacon of collaboration, offering a roadmap for a future where humanity unites in space exploration, fostering peace and progress. Named after Artemis, the ancient Greek goddess symbolizing the Moon, the Artemis program embodies our collective aspiration to expand the horizons of human exploration and knowledge. 

As we embark on this bold endeavor to return astronauts to the lunar surface and establish a sustainable human presence, Greece stands ready to contribute its expertise in space science and engineering. Our vibrant community, with its deep knowledge in space physics, remote sensing, robotics, and space software, eagerly anticipates the opportunity to enrich the Artemis program. 

In joining the Artemis Accords, we affirm our commitment to advancing scientific discovery, driving technological innovation, and inspiring future generations of scientists and engineers. Greece is honored to be a part of this international endeavor, and we eagerly anticipate the journey ahead. 

Thank you!”