Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis highlighted the role of the Greek-American community and called for further strengthening its ties with Greece during an address to a diaspora gathering in New York.
Mitsotakis thanked Greek Americans for their longstanding contribution to Greece and Greek-US relations, noting that the annual gathering in New York has developed into an established institution.
He also paid tribute to members of the Greek-American community who have devoted a significant part of their lives and public activity to strengthening relations between Greece and the United States.
“Strong and resilient bridges” with the diaspora
Addressing representatives of the community, Mitsotakis said that closer ties between Greece and Greek Americans have been developed in recent years.
“I believe that for the first time we have managed to build really strong and resilient bridges between the Greek-American community and Greece. And these bridges need to be strengthened further,” he said.
The Prime Minister also encouraged Greeks living abroad to participate in the country’s elections, stressing that geographical distance from Greece does not mean emotional distance from their homeland.
“We care about your voice, we care about your opinion,” he told members of the diaspora.
Economy and the return of Greeks from abroad
Mitsotakis devoted part of his address to the Greek economy, presenting the government’s assessment of developments in growth, employment and public finances since 2019.
He said unemployment, which stood at 18% in 2019, has fallen below 8%, while nearly 600,000 jobs have been created during the same period.
The Prime Minister also referred to Greeks who left the country during the financial crisis, saying that many are now considering returning. He presented this trend as an indication of growing confidence in Greece’s long-term prospects.
Technology and artificial intelligence
Mitsotakis arrived in New York after a two-day visit to California, where he met representatives of major technology companies as well as Greeks and Greek Americans working in the technology sector.
He said Greece is seeking to strengthen its position in new technologies and artificial intelligence and broaden its international profile beyond its traditional role as a major tourism destination.
Relations with Turkey and defense
Turning to foreign and security policy, Mitsotakis referred to the strengthening of the Greek Armed Forces and the country’s deterrence capabilities.
At the same time, he reiterated that Greece seeks peaceful and constructive relations with its neighbors, particularly Turkey.
“Greece is a peaceful country and we always seek to maintain good and constructive relations with our neighbors, especially Turkey. We threaten no one, but neither will we accept threats from anyone,” he said.
Energy cooperation with the United States
The Prime Minister also highlighted energy as an increasingly important component of the strategic relationship between Greece and the United States.
He said Greece has evolved from a country importing natural gas primarily for domestic consumption into an energy gateway supplying the Balkans and Eastern Europe through the Vertical Corridor.
Mitsotakis also announced that the first exploratory drilling operation by a consortium involving Exxon and a Greek company is expected in spring 2027.
He described energy security and independence as critical components of geopolitical strength and said Greece intends to use its emerging role in the sector to benefit its citizens.
“Greece today bears no resemblance to Greece in 2019”
Looking ahead to the next national election, Mitsotakis said his government would seek another term to continue reforms and what he described as the transformation of the country.
“Greece today bears no resemblance to Greece in 2019. But it is equally true that this work remains unfinished,” he said.
The Prime Minister said seeking another term was not about setting a political record, but about continuing reforms and strengthening Greece’s economic and geopolitical position.
He also acknowledged that the longer a government remains in office, the stronger the desire for political change may become among parts of society, saying his government would have to work harder to regain voters’ trust.
Concluding his address, Mitsotakis again thanked the Greek diaspora for its contribution to Greece and to Greek-American relations.
“I hope that I will be able to be with you again next year. That, of course, will depend on all of you,” he said.
