By Penelope Galliou
In a very good climate Joe Biden and Kyriakos Mitsotakiswhen the cameras of the first warm welcome to the Greek Prime Minister were closed, they unfolded the whole range in the Oval Office of the critical issues that concern the bilateral relations between Greece and the USA but also of international and regional interest. THE war in Ukraine, energy and the effects on the world economy, the Greek-Turkish and developments in the Eastern Mediterranean were discussed by the two leaders.
According to government sources there is satisfaction from the Greek side on the first day of the Greek Prime Minister’s visit to Washington and his meeting with the American President, as they themselves note that the climate was very good, and as it is pointed out, the American President knows in depth the issues of the Eastern Mediterranean, is of particular interest. for these, while his extremely positive feelings towards Greece were reflected both in his frequent references to the Greek-American community, and in the time he devoted to these contacts.
As estimated by the same sources Greek-American relations are at their best ever and pointed out that Greece has a key role to play in the issue of defending and consolidating democracy worldwide, an issue on which Joe Biden shows a keen interest, namely in the struggle between Republics and authoritarian regimes. On this, moreover, Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to dedicate a large part of his speech tonight to the Congress, as the same persons emphasize.
Greek-Turkish, the map of the “Blue Homeland” and the message about the Cyprus issue
In the foursome of the two leaders, Kyriakos Mitsotakis posed with details escalating Turkish provocationplacing it in a clear context on the issue of security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and referring specifically to overflights over Greek territory and inhabited islands of Greece while according to information the Greek Prime Minister pointed to the American President the map of the “blue homeland” constantly invoked by the Turks.
In this climate, government sources noted that “everyone realizes that expansionism and revisionism have no place in an increasingly complex world“.
In addition to supporting Turkey’s delinquent behavior, the issue of Cyprus with the same government sources stressing that the prime minister does not “chewed“His words, passing in every direction that a two-state solution can not be accepted.
As for Ankara’s request for F-16 upgradeCypriot sources made sense that there are “things that are said in public and things that are better left behind closed doors“, while referring to today’s speech of the Prime Minister in Congress.
The F-35
As noted by government sources in its context bilateral defense cooperation Athens’ decision has been taken that the 5th generation fighter aircraft, which will man the Air Force will be the American F-35. In this context, according to the same sources, Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed the desire for our country to join this program, clarifying that Greece is interested in buying an F – 35 squadron before the end of the current 10 yearss, and specifically after 2028, when and as has been emphasized, there will be the necessary budgetary space for such a move. In fact, the same sources revealed that a few days ago the company producing the F-35, Lockheed Martin, also informed in writing about its interest in Greece joining this program and the positive response from Athens will be transmitted within the next few days. «If we can agree on all the parameters, the specific aircraft will be acquired after 2028, while the best way of financing such a long-term investment for Greece in 2030 will be sought.»Note characteristics, while announcing the interest of Lockheed Martin to invest in ODA in the near future
Common place on energy issues
In the midst of the energy crisis and the multiple effects of the war in Ukraine, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Joe Biden found common ground on energy issues with the two leaders having a common vision. on the issue of reducing the price of gas internationally through the imposition of a ceiling. In fact, the two men agreed to coordinate their actions in view of the crucial extraordinary EU Summit at the end of May and for that, according to information, they appointed Mr. Nikos Tsafos, holder of the James Schlesinger Chair in Energy and Geopolitics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC, Special Adviser to the Greek Prime Minister on Energyand the Eric Hawstein, an adviser to President Biden on energy issues to work closely with. “In order to keep the front against the Russian invasion tight, we must protect households and businesses. Greece has already done so with great courage, raising funds from the national budget, but this does not mean that we are not active at European level.“Government sources confirmed that Athens is waiting for the relevant proposals to be submitted by the Commission.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, according to information, again referred to the issue of the pipeline Eastmedreiterating that the final choice, whether the solution of the pipeline or the liquefied natural gas transport will be preferred, will ultimately be determined by the market and the cost, while it was reaffirmed, the warm American support in the electrical interconnections without being able to exclude American investments in the future in this direction.
According to government sources, the discussion of the two leaders was also occupied by conversion of Alexandroupolis into a regional energy hub, but also the many and most important American investments in Greece. Moreover, during the talks it became clear that the Greek Republic has now proved its resilience as it overcame the difficult years of the economic crisis with the economy emerging stronger and the institutions becoming more shielded. The Greek side, in fact, expressed the desire for bilateral cooperation to be extended to all possible areas, while Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed the hope that Mr. Biden will be able to visit Greece in the near future.
Today the speech in Congress
In the current program of Kyriakos Mitsotakis dominates his speech at the Congress at 6 pm Greek time. As the first Greek Prime Minister to receive this honor, his speech will have a national, geopolitical and historical stigma. It will highlight the US decision-making center and the leading role of Greece in the new international environment, while there will be references to provocation of Turkey, which has been practically condemned by members of Congress by expelling it from the F-35 program. Earlier (16.40) he will meet with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi and the afternoon with the US Vice President, Kamala Harris. At 19:00 Kyriakos Mitsotakis will attend a reception given in his honor by Mrs. Pelozi, while he will end his trip to the USA with a dinner organized by 11 expatriate organizations in his honor.
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