
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis referred to the bicentennial of the Greek War of Independence, which coincided with a pandemic-battered 2021 last year, and the revolutionary struggle’s inspiration from the American Revolution nearly a half decade before, during his arrival at the US Capitol on Tuesday, where he was greeted by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
The meeting came just before Mitsotakis addressed a joint Congressional session, a rare honor for a foreign head of state or government, and the first by a Greek leader.
In comments later echoed in his address to US Representatives and Senators, Mitsotakis pointed to the inspiration for the American founding fathers from ancient Athens’ democracy, and the “repayment” made nearly two and a half millennia later with modern Greece’s struggle for independence from dour Ottoman rule.
He also underlined the common path followed by the two countries in the modern era, as allies in two world wars.
The press release by Pelosi’s office reads:
Speaker Nancy Pelosi held a photo opportunity with His Excellency Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, ahead of a bipartisan leadership meeting. Below are the Speaker’s remarks:
Speaker Pelosi. Good morning, everyone. It is an honor, indeed, to welcome the Prime Minister of Greece to the Capitol.
Greece, as you know, has been the source of democratic principles since ancient times. They were a source of inspiration to us and the founding of our country. And then we were a source of inspiration to the Greeks, when they established their democracy 200 and – two years ago?
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. One.
Speaker Pelosi. One. One year ago – 201 years ago. We couldn’t observe that two years ago – one year ago – because of COVID. But again, all the more reason to double down on our celebration this year.
Yesterday, the President welcomed the Prime Minister, as you know, to the White House and the beautiful ceremony of friendship, welcome and respect. We do so here today, with gratitude for our friendship in NATO from a security standpoint, with recognition for Greece’s role in helping the Ukrainian refugees since the brutal invasion of Ukraine and our fight against COVID and our – approaching the challenge of climate.
So, for these and many reasons, we have a lot to discuss today.
But we always like to say: we learned from the Greeks, the Greeks learned from us, and now we’re together as democratic nations. Very proud to welcome the Prime Minister Mitsotakis to the Capitol.
Yes, today is a celebration of democracy. What better way to celebrate it than to have an address to the Joint Session of Congress by the Prime Minister of Greece?


Latest News

Moody’s Upgrades Greece to Investment Grade, Ending Crisis Era
The rating agency raised Greece’s long-term credit rating to Baa3 from Ba1, with a stable outlook.

EFET on World Consumer Day: Humanity Faces New Challenges
This year’s message emphasizes the need for a transition to sustainable lifestyles while safeguarding consumers’ legally recognized rights. This means ensuring access to essential goods such as food and energy, as well as health and safety.

Athens Hotels Lead Europe in Value Growth for Third Year
Over the entire period from 2015 to 2024, the average annual increase in hotel value was 6.1%.

Unemployment Rate in Greece Down 8.9% in January: IOBE
The unemployment rate in Greece recorded a further decline in January 2025, reaching 8.9%, according to the latest Foundation for Economic & Industrial Research (IOBE) report.

Demand for Short Term Rentals in Greece Surges Ahead of Easter
Among the most popular Easter destinations from Good Friday to Easter Monday are Corfu, Hydra, the Peloponnese, Ioannina, Patmos, Loutra Edipsou, Kavala, Thassos, and Pelion

Opposition Reacts Strongly to Greek Government Reshuffle
PASOK's spokesperson, Kostas Tsoukalas, characterized the reshuffle as a clear indication of Mitsotakis' "strategic deadlock."

Greece’s Economy Awaits Moody’s Verdict on Investment-Grade Rating
The stock market has reflected strong performance, with the general index showing resilience and a lack of inward-looking caution.

Greek PM Reshuffles Cabinet after No-Confidence Vote
The most notable changes in the Greek cabinet reshuffle include Kostis Hatzidakis being appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Kyriakos Pierrakakis taking over as Minister of National Economy and Finance.

Mitsotakis: Greece-Israel Strategic Ties Increase Stability in East Med
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis made the statement in welcoming Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar to his office on Thursday

Conference Tourism in Greece Targets €6-7BLN
Currently, the Greek conference tourism generates €2 billion in revenue, ranking 47th globally in terms of total turnover in the international conference industry