State Department: Greece is a necessary ally for the security of NATO’s southern wing

The decisive role that Greece plays in the southern wing of NATO, especially in the light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, was underlined by US Assistant Secretary of State Erika Olson in view of the official visit of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Washington. As the American Undersecretary explained, the crisis in Ukraine makes Greek-American relations even more important and proves how necessary an ally Greece is.

“Much of what defines our relationship is focused on our ongoing commitment to promoting the common democratic values ​​and freedoms that unite us, and this is something that becomes even more important given what is happening with Putin’s invasion and war in Ukraine.” “Russia and Ukraine dominate much of today’s headlines and we are grateful that Greece remains a stable and trusted NATO ally that is absolutely essential to the security of the alliance ‘s southern wing.”

Mr. Olson acknowledged that Greek-American relations are at an all-time high, an assessment that is now a common denominator in the statements of various US officials. However, he clarified that the Prime Minister’s visit is an opportunity to plan future moves that will further strengthen cooperation. In this light, he estimated that cooperation in the fields of economy, energy, but also the promotion of common values ​​will be at the center of the visit. As he characteristically noted, “the visit of the Prime Minister will underline the positive, multifaceted nature of our bilateral cooperation”.

Historical Speech of the Greek Prime Minister in the Congress

During his visit to Washington, Mr. Mitsotakis will address a joint congressional session. This is the first time that a Greek Prime Minister has received such an invitation from the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The idea for a speech on democracy was taken on the occasion of the celebration of the anniversary of the 200 years of Greek independence. The Congress thus wanted to honor our country, recognizing that it is the cradle of democracy and that Greek ideals inspired the fathers of the American nation.

As Ms. Olson explained, “Greece and the United States have a very strong friendship and partnership, and we look forward to welcoming Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis to Washington next week for his meeting at the White House and his historic speech.” “This is the highest honor our legislature can bestow on a foreign leader and is a testament to the tremendous bipartisan support that exists for Greek-American relations in the United States.”

Under normal circumstances, this speech would have taken place in 2021. However, the delay due to the pandemic places it in the context of the war in Ukraine. The US Secretary of State believes that this fact makes the message of democracy that will be heard in Congress more relevant than ever.

“I think at the moment, democracy and the message of democracy are more important than ever, and I do not think anyone is more appropriate to talk about democracy than Greece, which is the home of modern democracy. “I hope that Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ visit here will be an opportunity to really highlight these common values ​​at a time when Russian President Putin is invading Ukraine.”

SOURCE: AMPE

Message for Stability in the Area: Disputes Must Not Be Resolved by Provocative Military Action

Asked about Turkey’s delinquent behavior, Ms Olson made it clear that the United States remains fully committed to ensuring stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, adding that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected. “We believe that disputes in the region should be resolved peacefully through diplomacy and international law and not through provocative military action. I “They will help stabilize the region, and we call on all parties to do so. And I should just add that as a matter of principle we encourage all states to resolve maritime demarcation issues peacefully and in accordance with international law.”