Greek PM, FM brief members of US House foreign affairs com’t

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Thursday welcomed a delegation of US House of Representatives who are also members of the influential foreign affairs committee, including committee Chairman Gregory Meeks.

An announcement after the meeting – held at the Maximos Mansion – cited the noteworthy recent visit by the Greek leader to Washington and his address before a joint session of Congress, as well as a renewal of the Greece-US mutual defense cooperation agreement, which highlights the strategic importance of the extreme northeast port city of Alexandroupolis.

Mitsotakis cited his government’s reforms program, while again underlining that Greece has exited the crisis years. He also told members of the US House delegation that the country remains a reliable, stable partner and ally, as well as a pillar of stability, peace and security for the wider east Mediterranean and southeast Europe regions.

Greek and US leaders exchanged views on the results of last week’s NATO Summit in Madrid, and expressed satisfaction over direct messages condemning revisionism and a commitment to the principles of International Law. Along these lines, the Greek side detailed the challenges faced by regional countries in the east Mediterranean.

The pro-reform and pro-business Mitsotakis also referred to what he called the country’s comparative advantages as an investment destination, energy hub, ocean-going shipping leader and world-class tourism destination.

US Ambassador to Greece George Tsunis also attended the meeting.

Earlier, members of the US House delegation met with former prime minister and current main opposition leader Alexis Tsipras.

Meeting with Greek FM Dendias

During an earlier meeting with Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, the latter reportedly presented Athens’ detailed positions on a variety of issues, especially Greece’s insistence on international law, especially the UN Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Diplomatic sources said Dendias cited the excellent level of Greece-US relations and the significance of bilateral defense ties.

He also referred to the “3+1” regional alliance scheme promoted by Greece, Israel and Cyprus – with a US presence – adding that Athens wants the initiative expanded and elevated into a wider multilateral cooperation vehicle.

In terms of the wider region, he cited Athens’ support for Ukraine in the face of a Russian invasion, as well as backing for the accession of Sweden and Finland into NATO.

Sources added that Dendias also briefed US House committee members over what he called official Turkey’s provocative and illegal actions, such as the disputing of Greek sovereignty and sovereign rights, as well as belligerence.

The US lawmakers were reportedly shown maps illustrating Ankara’s illegal and unilateral claims over the decades.