Expectations from the Mitsotaki – Biden summit

By Dimitris Gatsios

“Our country plays a central role in the region. This Agreement expands its scope and ceases to be a bilateral protocol. It is a vote of confidence in Greece, as an unshakable factor of stability in our neighborhood and in the wider region. As a prudent European and NATO partner “It guarantees international legitimacy in the face of any frenzy of our neighbors. But also as a critical node in the new energy map that is being formed.”

Summarizing in 68 words the meaning of the new defense agreement Greece – United States of America, which simultaneously affects defense, diplomacy, economy and energy, the prime minister, ratified by the Greek Parliament, heads to the summit with President Biden. In Washington and in twenty-four hours from today, Mr. Mitsotakis (on his second visit to the American capital) conveys the message of the upgraded role of Athens at the regional level. It is, after all, a three-day demarcation of contacts and discussions, starring the “appointment” at the White House and the prime minister’s speech at the joint meeting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, held in a global environment of liquidity and structural change, as a consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Geopolitical developments, anyway, will be an important part of the discussions that Mr. Mitsotakis and Mr. Biden will have in the capital of the United States, with the whole agenda, however, moving (as expected) in a completely broad context, which will come, according to observers, to confirm what Greeks and Americans have been pointing out for a long time. That the relations between the two countries are at the best level of the last years, with Greece being a pillar of stability and security in a critical area of ​​the world map, but also a strong ally of the USA, which is firmly on its path, having in the front line the concept of respect for international law, the law of the sea and the rules of good neighborliness.

The field

In the last few hours, the preparations for the visit of Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Washington are entering their final stretch. The meetings at the Maximos Palace are dense, as every detail is regulated for the perfection of the prime minister’s presence in the American capital and the multi-member mission he will lead.

Undoubtedly, the situation in Ukraine, almost three months after the Russian invasion of the country, will be high on the agenda of the talks between the two leaders. At the same time, Mr. Mitsotakis and Mr. Biden are expected to put on the table the broader geopolitical situation, but also the changes that have taken place in a number of critical pieces on the international chessboard. Like, for example, energy. The government is increasing the pace of its moves aimed at making it a powerful transit channel (the latest example is the liquefied natural gas station in Alexandroupolis), while in the recent visit of Undersecretary of State Victoria Nuland to our country, the intention of Washington was expressed. to support the transformation of Greece into an LNG transport hub throughout Europe. An element that is expected to be confirmed in the Prime Minister’s talks with the President of the United States, at a time when … new life is being given to groups, such as the “three plus one” (Greece, Cyprus, Israel, United States), for energy .

Developments in the region

In addition to geopolitics and energy, Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to put Joe Biden and the Greek-Turkish, in the wake of Ankara’s latest delinquent moves in the Aegean. At the same time, the further expansion of bilateral relations, the current global challenges, the economy, the climate crisis, defense cooperation, but also investments, will be part of the agenda, at a time when the Maximos Palace has already demarcated the two next big milestones. The exit, in the summer, from the mechanism of enhanced supervision and the achievement of investment level within 2023. “Very important American companies came and invested in Greece in the last two to three years. They did it because they trust not the government, they trust the country as a whole. “Our country today has a voice and credibility not only in the United States, in Europe, in the Middle East, in the southeastern Mediterranean. And I will respect this effort of continuous upgrading of the country”, the Prime Minister hastened to note in Parliament.

The Cyprus issue, the intensifying challenges of Turkey in the EEZ, but also Varosia, are expected to be on the … list of issues that will be raised by Mr. Mitsotakis in Monday’s four-on-four at the White House. “In Washington, I will speak not only as the Prime Minister of Greece, but also as the representative of Hellenism as a whole,” was the message sent by the Prime Minister from the podium of the 14th New Democracy Congress, giving the stigma of his intentions.

The landmark

One element that does not escape attention and is related to the three-day presence of Kyriakos Mitsotakis in the American capital is his historic speech in Congress, at the invitation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“As our world faces a pivotal moment in the struggle between the forces of democracy and totalitarianism, the transatlantic alliance remains vital to the future of world freedom. Congress and our country look forward to hearing your message of democratic values. “As we continue to strengthen our cooperation, enhance security and freedom worldwide and build a brighter future for our children,” Ms. Pelosi said in her letter.

This move is highly symbolic on the part of the United States, as the Prime Minister’s speech will be the setting for the identification of the two capitals in common values ​​and perceptions of democracy, freedom and society. At the same time, Mr. Mitsotakis will have the opportunity to highlight Greece’s stabilizing role in the region, its contribution to Europe’s energy security and its allied commitment. Also, one should not neglect that the Congress, as a body, can … give a green or red light to Turkey’s effort for reinforcement with F-16. This fact gives additional weight to the reports that will be contained in the speech of the Prime Minister.