Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2022

May 16, 2022

President Biden. Well, Mr. Prime Minister, welcome. It's great to have you here. And later this afternoon we're going to celebrate 201 yearsâ201 yearsâof Greek independence and the strong ties of family and shared democratic values with the United States and a burgeoning personal friendship between you and I. You've been wonderful.

The democratic ideals that we so cherish originated in Greece, as we all know, inspired by our Founders, who were students of Greece, and for centuries has empoweredââ

[*At this point, a cell phone rang.*]

Someone's playing music. Anybody want to make that phone call? [*Laughter*] There you go.

Thank you. It happens all the time. Don't worry about it.

Sadly, Russia's brutal attack on Ukraine is also about a threat to democracy from autocrats who want to bear down on rules-tested orders and rule-based orders. I want to thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, for Greeks' moral leadership here. It's not easy, I know. But thank you.

And we have much to discuss today: our ongoing support for Ukraine, our deepening defense and trade partnerships, energy security, climate change, and so much more.

Today, the friendship and partnership between our countries, between Greek andâGreeks and Americans is, I think, more important than ever. And I'm honored to celebrate that partnership with you because you've been a good friend. So, welcome.

The floor is yours.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis. Well, thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. President, for these kind words. It is indeed a privilege for me to be here in the United States to celebrate with you 201 years since the beginning of our war of independence.

As you know, your Founding Fathers were inspired by the ideals of Athenian democracy, and our founding fathers were inspired by the struggle for independence on these lands. And over the past two centuries, our two countries have always been on the right side of history. We fought in wars together. And of course, we are now facing, united, the challenge of Russia's invasion into Ukraine.

At the same time, this visit is an opportunity to reassess the status of our relationship. I honestly believe it is at an alltime high.

President Biden. So do I.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis. And I'm not just speaking about the defense component of the relationship, but I'm also speaking about trade, investment, Greece's role as a reliable partner in the eastern Mediterranean, as a country that overcame the financial crisis with a booming economy, and as a pillar of stability both in the Balkans and in the broader region.

So, when we talk about issues such as energy security, there's so much more we can do together.

And I'm very, very happy to be here with you to discuss these important topics and, later, to be able to address also your many Greek American friends. And I know how close your ties are to Greeks and Greek Americans. And it's a privilege to have them here at the White House.

President Biden. Well, I'm delighted you're here. Thank you. And I look forward to our discussion.

Q. Mr. President, Mr. President, Jeff Bezos is accusing the White Houseâ[inaudible]. Sir, Jeff Bezos isâany thoughts on that?

NOTE: The President spoke at 3:39 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White House. A reporter referred to Jeffrey P. Bezos, president, chief executive officer, and chairman of the board, Amazon.com.

Categories: Meetings With Foreign Leaders and International Officials : Greece, Prime Minister Mitsotakis.

Locations: Washington, DC.

Names: Mitsotakis, Kyriakos.

Subjects: Greece : Prime Minister; Greece : Relations with U.S.; Holidays and special observances : Greek Independence Day; Russia : Ukraine, airstrikes and invasion; Ukraine : Russian airstrikes and invasion.

DCPD Number: DCPD202200408.