Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and United States President Joe Biden are expected to discuss a wide range of issues including the strategic Greece-US partnership and the Russian invasion of Ukraine when they meet in Washington on Monday, government sources said on Sunday.
Government sources said the premier is also expected to raise the issue of Turkish provocations, particularly flights over Greek territories, and their undermining of NATO's cohesion during a time calling for unity. The PM is also expected to raise the issue of energy differentiation in Europe and delinking from Russian imports of oil and natural gas, and speak of key American investments in Greece, including Pfizer and Microsoft.
President Biden and his spouse will host a reception following their meeting at the White House for Mitsotakis and his spouse that will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Greek War of Independence.
Prior to his meeting with the US president, Mitsotakis will chat with Washington Post journalist David Ignatius at Georgetown University.
On Tuesday, Mitsotakis is scheduled to meet the US president at the White House before addressing Congress in a joint session, following an invitation by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He is also expected to meet with members of Congress who have supported issues of Greek interest.
Before returning to Greece, the PM will also attend a dinner hosted by 11 organizations of the Greek diaspora.
This will be Mitsotakis' second visit to the White House after assuming his duties. During the first one in January 2020, he met with then president Donald Trump.
The schedule for Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' official two-day visit to the United States was released on Sunday as follows:
MONDAY, May 16 (Athens times)
- At 14:30, Mitsotakis will be interviewed on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" by journalists Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski
- At 17:00, the PM will take part in an open discussion with journalist David Ignatius at Georgetown University
- At 22:30, Mitsotakis will meet with US President Joe Biden at the White House
- At 00:00, he will attend a reception in his honor by the American president
TUESDAY, May 17 (Athens times)
- At 16:40, PM will visit the US Congress, where he will meet with House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi
- At 18:00, he will address the joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives
- At 19:00, Mitsotakis will attend a reception in his honor by House Speaker Pelosi
- At 02:00 (Wednesday morning, in Athens times), he will attend a dinner with representatives of Greek-American organiSations
