Menendez to K. Mitsotakis: ‘Alexandroupoli will become a geostrategic center for Greece and the Allies’

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met, at Megaros Maximos, with the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the United States Senate, Robert Menendez, shortly before the American Senator was named an Honorary Doctorate of EKPA.

The government reports that the Prime Minister praised Mr. Menendez’s contribution to strengthening Greek-American relationsof peace and cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, for which, after all, the Senator was honored last August with the Grand Cross of the Order of Honor.

He made special reference to Mr. Menendez’s legislative initiative “US-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act”which became US law in December 2021 and further upgrades bilateral cooperation, particularly in defense.

During the meeting, they add, it happened review of Greek-American relations which are at the best level ever and on prospects for closer cooperation in view of the 4th Round of the Greece-US Strategic Dialogue, which will take place in Athens in October.

They were still discussed the international developments with the Russian invasion of Ukraine at its peak. Mr. Menendez expressed his appreciation for the clear stance of the government, which has supported Ukraine from the very beginning by offering humanitarian and defense material. He underlined that Greece is a stable democracy, a reliable partner and ally of the US in the south-eastern wing of NATO, but also a pillar of stability in the region.

They even exchanged opinions about her defense cooperation and the new possibilities presented, on the occasion of the recent visit of the President of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate to Alexandroupoli.

The Prime Minister gave a special emphasis on economic and energy cooperation between the two countrieswhile he analyzed the importance of the infrastructure that Greece is developing for its energy security, the diversification of energy sources and the energy supply of Europe, due to its strategic position.

At the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Menendez commented on a photo of Mr. Mitsotakis from his speech in Congress. “Historic photo. For you but also for the fact that you have two women standing behind you, the Speaker of the House and the Vice President of the United States,” said the US Senator.

“Yes, it was a historic moment for me but I believe also for my country. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you back to Greece. First of all, congratulations on the title of honorary doctorate. It is an important moment for the University but, I am sure, and for you. I would like to thank you again for what you have done to promote relations between our two countries. I know how hard you have worked. I believe that we have made great progress in recent years and there is much more to be done, on many fronts , not only in geostrategic and geopolitical, but also in the areas of economy, culture, education. We are very happy that you have an extremely good Ambassador and I can tell you that he has already made his presence felt in Greece. We really look forward to continuing the excellent partnership we have,” the prime minister replied.

Mr Menendez continued: “We absolutely agree. We are very proud of our Ambassador. He has done an excellent job. I have known him for a long time, I was sure he would do an excellent job and therefore I am very happy. His nomination was approved very quickly by the Foreign Relations Committee and the full Senate. We are also very happy to have your own Ambassador. She is an excellent representative of the Hellenic Republic.

I tried to keep a low profile on this visit but that’s not easy here. I went to Alexandroupolis and the development there, under your leadership, is excellent.”

“The progress is impressive,” replied Kyriakos Mitsotakis. “I estimate that it will be a geostrategic center for Greece, for the region, but also for the Allies. I think he has unlimited potential,” noted Robert Menendez.

Source: AMPE