On May 16, K. Mitsotakis in the USA – The foursome with Biden and the agenda of the discussion of the two leaders

By Dimitris Gatsios

Following a diplomatic marathon between Athens and Washington, which began in early 2022, Mitsotakis’s second visit to the US capital during his term as prime minister “locked in” late yesterday. night.

The prime minister will meet with President Biden on May 16 at the White House in a four-on-one meeting, which is expected to add further value to the two countries’ already excellent relations.

At the forefront of the talks that the two leaders will have, in a context of global liquidity and change, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, will be the close Athens-Washington cooperation, developments on the Ukrainian front, energy security, defense cooperation, investments, but also the situation in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region. And the upgraded position of our country, which is a pillar of stability and security, comes in order to add another piece to the government quiver, which aims to continuously strengthen the Greek footprint.

“President Biden looks forward to welcoming the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, to the White House on May 16, 2022. The Prime Minister’s visit provides an opportunity to reaffirm our strong bilateral cooperation and to honor the 201 years of Greek Independence. They will discuss the ongoing efforts of allies and partners to support the people of Ukraine and impose financial costs on Russia for its unprovoked attack, as well as our close cooperation on global challenges, including climate change and energy security. They will take stock of our joint efforts to promote global security through NATO, as well as our common goals for peace and prosperity in the region, as well as the history, democratic values ​​and trade and investment ties that have united peoples. and our countries for generations “, said the announcement of the exp White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.

The cooperation between Greece and the United States of America, in a number of critical areas, is at a very high level, as well as the relations between the two countries, a fact that is reflected in the statements of recent months from both Athens and Washington. The American presence in Souda and Alexandroupolis has been strengthened, it is a key pillar of the security and defense strategy in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans, with the role of our country continuing to be upgraded. After all, the defense cooperation agreement between the two countries added another strong piece to the puzzle of Athens-Washington relations with the American capital welcoming the role of Greece, in an area of ​​increased interest. In addition to security and defense, Kyriakos Mitsotakis is heading to the “date” with President Biden, having to show a series of moves at the economic level, which upgraded the country’s credibility in international markets. Greece, aiming for an immediate exit from the enhanced surveillance regime and gaining an investment grade by 2023, is building an investment-friendly environment, attracting the attention of giants from the United States, such as JP Morgan. In this context and during his presence in the capital of the United States, the Prime Minister is expected to have contacts with economic agents and representatives of funds, emitting another signal for investments in Greece.

Mr. Mitsotakis will not have Washington as the only station of his trip. The Prime Minister, in his, as expected, multi-day presence on the other side of the Atlantic, will visit, on May 22, Chicago, for contacts with members of the Greek community, while he will attend the celebrations for the 201st anniversary of the Greek revolution. He will also visit Boston to address Boston College.