A wide range of issues of bilateral, regional and international interest were put on the table during the private meeting of the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis with US President Joe Biden, but also in the extended talks between the two delegations.
According to government sources, the Greek side appears very satisfied with the first day of the Greek Prime Minister’s program in Washington, noting that the atmosphere at the meeting of the two leaders was very good, as, as noted The American president is well acquainted with the issues of the Eastern Mediterranean, is of particular interest to them, 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. The same sources characteristically stated that Greek-American relations are at their best They have never pointed out that Greece has a key role to play in the issue of defending and consolidating the Republic worldwide, an issue on which Joe Biden shows a keen interest, namely in the struggle between the 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.
As was reasonable the discussion of the two revolved extensively around it Ukrainian and united western front against Russian invasion, but also how the US will contribute in practice to make Europe independent of Russian gas. There was a lot of discussion according to the same sources about the transformation of Alexandroupolis into a regional energy hub, but also the many and now significant American investments in Greece. During the contacts of the two men, it became clear, moreover, always according to the same sources, that the Greek Republic has now proved its resilience as it overcame the difficult years of the economic crisis with the economy coming out 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.
Turkish provocation on the table – a clear reference to the Cyprus issue
During the discussion between the two leaders, Kyriakos Mitsotakis set out to his interlocutor all the details concerning the intensifying Turkish provocation namely the overflights over inhabited Greek islands. “It is now clear that everyone understands that expansionism and revisionism have no place in an increasingly complex global landscape,” government sources said after the meeting at the White House, confirming that the issue of Turkish provocation was not raised alone but as part of security issues in the Eastern Mediterranean. Regarding the issue of the sale of American F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, a competent government source referred to today’s speech of the Greek Prime Minister to the Congress, stressing, however, with meaning that some issues are better not to be discussed in public. The same sources, moreover, stressed that the Greek Prime Minister referred to the Cyprus issue without “chewing” his words, reiterating that a two-state solution in the Megalonisos can not be accepted.
On the way to F – 35
Government sources also confirmed that in the context of bilateral defense cooperation Athens’s decision has been taken that the 5th generation fighter aircraft, which will strengthen the Air Force will be the American F – 35. 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 years, and specifically after 2028, when and as it was emphasized, there will be the necessary budgetary space for such a move. The same persons revealed that a few days ago the company producing the F-35, Lockheed Martin, also informed in writing about its interest for Greece to join the specific program and the positive response of 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,” the same sources note, revealing Lockheed Martin’s interest in investing. soon to ODA with the necessary clarification that there is no mention of the majority package so that the Greek state retains public control of ODA.
Understanding of brave intervention in the international energy market
Among the highlights of the Mitsotaki-Biden meeting at the White House and the understanding of the two leaders on the issue of reducing gas price 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, hence they reportedly authorized the Nikos Tsafos, appointed Special Adviser to the Greek Prime Minister on Energy, and Eric Hawstein, Advisor to President Biden in energy matters to work closely. “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.” point out government sources, who confirm that Athens is waiting for the relevant proposals to be submitted by the Commission. The same persons estimate that a solution can be given either through the utilization of the unsecured loans from the Recovery Fund, or through a ceiling intervention in the wholesale market of natural gas internationally. As the saying goes, however, “we can not turn off the Russian gas switch overnight.”. As far as Eastmed pipeline The Greek side reiterated its position that the final choice, ie whether the solution of the pipeline or that of the liquefied natural gas transport will be approved, will ultimately be determined by the market and the cost. However, the warm American support for the electrical interconnections was reaffirmed, without excluding American investments in them in the future.
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