Athens, Oct. 8 -- United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Europe to emerge from a "long slumber" and boost its military and economic power, utilising an address in Athens to assert that Western nations stand at a crucial turning point.

Delivering his remarks to senior Greek officials at Pnyx Hill near the Acropolis, Rubio referenced classical Greece as the foundation of Western democracy, noting that Europe holds the chance to revive the strength of its ancient heritage.

"We believe that Europe can awaken from its long slumber and rekindle the fire that was lit here millennia ago," Rubio said, praising ancient Greece's civilisation as the cradle of Western democracy.

"Across this continent, we are witnessing what we hope wil...