Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis marked the 250th anniversary of American independence by hosting a symbolic dinner for US Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle at the Maximos Mansion on July 1, declaring bilateral relations to be at an unprecedented peak.
In a statement following the event, Mitsotakis framed the milestone as a reminder of the “enduring power of the ideas of liberal democracy.” He emphasized that the bond between Greece and the United States is not a product of recent geopolitical convenience but a shared 250-year historical journey rooted in common values.
Greek thought shaped ideals that inspired the Founding Fathers of the US
The Prime Minister drew a historical line between Ancient Greek thought and the ideals that inspired America’s Founding Fathers, noting that the relationship eventually came full circle. The success of early American democracy, he explained, directly inspired the Greek revolutionaries of 1821, sparking one of the modern world’s earliest waves of philhellenism. Mitsotakis observed that the principles of figures such as Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were in direct “dialogue with the vision of Rigas Feraios, Adamantios Korais, and the fighters of 1821.”
Shifting his focus to modern diplomacy, the Prime Minister praised the strategic depth of the current alliance, pointing to robust cooperation within multilateral frameworks and the invaluable role of the Greek diaspora as a unique bridge between the two nations. He emphasized that true diplomatic longevity requires more than mutual convenience, stating that “the history of the past 250 years teaches us that the relationships that endure over time are those founded on solid bonds of shared values, and not merely on circumstances.”
Mitsotakis concluded by noting that while it took time for the full strategic value of this relationship to be universally recognized across the Greek political spectrum, it now enjoys an unshakable domestic consensus that mirrors its decades-long, bipartisan support in Washington.
Our shared values, Mitsotakis noted, serve as the ultimate guarantee that “Greek-American relations transcend governments and electoral cycles,” ensuring that strategic cooperation will continue to deepen for the benefit of both nations.
Related: The Many Parallels Between US, Greek Wars of Independence
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