President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis affirmed that the U.S. – Greece relationship is “stronger than ever” during the meeting of the two leaders at the White House on Monday.
Biden congratulated Mitsotakis on 201 years of Greek independence. The leaders underscored that the relationship between the United States and Greece is stronger than ever and noted the enduring people-to-people bonds that have helped define our bilateral ties for more than two centuries.
The U.S. President referred to the personal friendship with Mitsotakis and to the democratic ideals born in Greece that inspired the United States and which he said are sadly tried by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a democracy threatened by autocrats.
The issues they will discuss include the defense and trade partnerships, energy security and climate change, Biden said in brief introductory comments to the press.
“Today our friendship and partnership between our countries, between Greeks and Americans, I think is more important than ever. And I’m honored to celebrate the partnership with you,” the American president noted.
PM Mitsotakis referred to the significance of currently celebrating the bicentennial of the Greek War of Independence, which was also inspired by the American struggle for independence. Over the last two centuries, Greece and the United States have fought wars together and are now united in facing the challenge of the Ukraine war, he noted.
“My visit to the United States is an opportunity to reassess the status of our relationship, which I honestly believe is at an all-time high,” the Greek leader said, underlining Greece’s role as a reliable partner, one that has overcome crises to become a pillar of stability in the region.
