& # 8220; We will celebrate the 201st anniversary of your independence & # 8221 ;, said Joe Biden in his first conversations in front of the cameras during the meeting with Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The American president referred to the personal friendship that connects him with the Greek Prime Minister and to the democratic ideals that the two countries share. & # 8220; They inspired our ancestors and for centuries they were strengthened & # 8221 ;, continued the US President.
He went on to say that Russian aggression in Ukraine is a threat to democracy and a threat to the rule of law. & # 8220; Thanks for your leadership. We have a lot to discuss today. For the deepening of our trade and defense relations, for energy, security, climate change & # 8221 ;, added Mr. Biden who underlined for the second time the friendly relations between the USA and Greece and said that & # 8220; we are at our best & # 8221 ;.
& # 8220; Thank you very much for your kind words. It is a special privilege to celebrate together the 201 years since the beginning of our polygenesis & # 8221 ;, said Kyriakos Mitsotakis taking the floor. The Prime Minister stressed that the two countries were always on the right side of history and then referred to the war in Ukraine. & # 8220; We face with solidarity the challenge of the Russian invasion of Ukraine & # 8221 ;, he said specifically noting that & # 8220; is an opportunity to confirm the level of our relations which are at their best & # 8221; p>He added: & # 8220; Not only in defense but also in trade, investment, the role of Greece as a reliable partner in the eastern Mediterranean, in the now thriving economy. We are a pillar of stability in the wider region & # 8221 ;. The Prime Minister also stated that Greece is ready to accept other American investments.
Concluding, the Greek Prime Minister said: & # 8220; I am glad to be with you and later we will have the opportunity to address the many Greek-Americans. your friends. It's a privilege to be here at the White House & # 8221 ;.
The full text of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis's statements with US President Joe Biden at the beginning of their meeting at the White House:
Joe Biden : We are united by a personal friendship. You are great. The democratic ideals that we embrace, as we all know, start in Greece and inspired our “Founding Fathers”, who were students of Greece. Unfortunately, Russia's barbaric attack on Ukraine is at the same time a threat to democracy from authoritarian regimes that seek to overthrow the international legal order. I want to thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, for the moral, leading role that Greece has played. It's not easy. I know that and thank you. There are many things we will discuss today. We will discuss our continued support for Ukraine, the deepening of our defense and trade partnerships, energy security, climate change and much more. Today, our friendship and cooperation between the two countries, between the Greeks and the Americans, is & # 8211; consider & # 8211; more important than ever. And it is my honor to have the opportunity to celebrate this collaboration with you, as you are a great friend. Welcome.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis : Thank you very much, Mr President, for your kind words. It is truly an honor to be here in the United States of America to celebrate with you the 201st anniversary of the beginning of our Independence Struggle. As you know, your “Founding Fathers” were inspired by the ideals of the Athenian Republic and our “Founding Fathers” drew inspiration from the struggle for independence in this country. For the last two centuries, our two countries have always been on the right side of history. We fought together. And now we face, together, the challenge of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. At the same time, this visit is an opportunity to re-evaluate the level of our relationship. I sincerely believe that it is at the highest, historically, level. And I am not talking only about the defense part of our relationship, but also about trade, investment, the role of Greece as a reliable partner in the Eastern Mediterranean, as a country that overcame the financial crisis with a growing economy and a pillar of stability in both the Balkans. as well as in the wider region.
So when we talk about issues like energy security, there is a lot more we can do together. And I am very happy to be here with you to discuss these important issues and that, later, I will be able to address your many Greek-American friends. I am well aware of how close your ties with Greeks and Greek-Americans are, and it is an honor to meet them here at the White House.
Joe Biden : It's my pleasure your presence here. Thank you. And I'm waiting for our discussion to start.
ΑΠΕ & # 8211; EIA
