THE Kyriakos Mitsotakis He talked to American writer Robert D. Kaplan in the Delphi Forum and referred to global developments following Donald Trump’s duties, the economy and foreign policy.
‘There will only be losers if no solution is found’, initially said the prime minister about duties and expressed his satisfaction with “The fact that President Trump pressed the pause button suspended the duties.”
“Greece is a European country. It is a NATO Member State and a proud, I would say. A member of the European Union and not the black sheep as it once was. This allows us to play an important role in the design of European policies.
It is a country that has a strategic relationship with the United States, which it appreciates it, considers it valuable and is also a country at the crossroads of three continents, “said Kyriakos Mitsotakis, responding to the difficult geopolitical environment which has been in the center of Greece in recent weeks.
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“We have of course 10% that is not a small percentage, but is much smaller than what was originally announced,” he said even stressing that this 90 -day window “must be used to have a honest debate on duties, and duties between the US and Europe.”
Mutual beneficial agreement on both sides
Kyriakos Mitsotakis also said that the two sides should reach an agreement, which is “mutually beneficial for both sides. Therefore, I remain moderately optimistic that there is room for maneuver. “
“We must bear in mind that a World Trade War will have a dramatic impact on all countries, including the United States. International markets have sent the clear message that duties are a source of intense reflection, “the prime minister added.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis reiterated that there is no logic in imposing duties In products such as oil, olives and feta, which do not affect the productive base in the US.
Robert Kaplan noted that under the leadership of Kyriakos Mitsotakis and under the New Democracy government Greece is now another country than it was decades ago and asked if it is still able to welcome more foreign investment.
“I’m glad you recognize this. It is important to remind ourselves from where we started, because we tend to easily forget how difficult this path was and how much progress we have made, “the prime minister said, stressing that” investment is at the core of our strategic development. “
“Looking where we were at the beginning of the financial crisis, we already had an investment gap and the capital was largely missing during the crisis. But we have begun to recover and cover the lost ground. We must therefore persuade both Greek businessmen and foreign businessmen invest in the country. And that is already the case. We had a record of direct foreign investment in the country, “he added.
Easily forget what happened in Greece 10 years ago
“The ghost of populism is always present, sometimes we easily forget what happened in our country 10 years ago. Today there is a powerful center -right party that rules, as the rest of the opposition is fragmented, so we do not have a balanced political system, a fact that leaves space for populism, “the prime minister noted, noting that the danger of re -emergence is: We will have even better days ahead of us because we are in a strong fiscal position, which is now perceived by the average citizen. As we do all of the above and remain humble we have a great opportunity to win the 2027 elections. “
The prime minister also noted that “political stability is very important today” and stressed that “in Greece the government is enjoying a strong parliamentary majority, estimated by international investors.”
We have to live peacefully with Turkey
‘We are doomed by geography to live with Turkey and We must be able to live peacefullybut also to be able to resolve the only difference we have, that is, the demarcation of EEZ and continental shelf.
This difference has not been resolved for 50 years, I am not optimistic that it will be resolved in the near futurebut that does not mean that we should not discuss with Turkey and work together in areas that promote the relations of the two peoples.
I put you as an example the issue of visa visa for Turkish citizens for their 7 -day stay in 12 islands in the eastern Aegean, which has delivered positive results not only economically. But at the same time I am not naive, I know that we must always have a reliable deterrent to Turkey, which is why we are constantly strengthening our armed forces as we promote EU strategic autonomy, “the prime minister said.
“I have met Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan many times, it is important to have open communication channels – in terms of Greek -Turkish relations I am identifying myself as an optimistic realist,” he added and pointed out:
“However, our foreign policy is not exhausted in relations with Turkey. Greece is developing strategic relationships with Israel, Egypt and Gulf countries, we are investigating with the help of American giants, such as Exxon and Chevron the possibility of natural gas deposits south of Crete, and we want to be honest interlocutors with all players in the Eastern. It is in our interest to work for a safe and prosperous Eastern Mediterranean. “
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We can maintain a good relationship with Trump
Asked what his relationship with US President Donald Trump is, Kyriakos Mitsotakis said characteristically that “we have a strategic relationship with the US, I have worked with President Trump and during his first term and I think we can maintain the good relationship we have”
“It is my obligation to work with him, it is positive that we know and I want to work on a relationship that has a strategic depth. We have common interests with the US, Greece’s importance to the geopolitical and economic dimension is great for the US and this is recognized by both parties in the US, which was also given in my own speech in Congress in the spring of 2022. “
See the entire discussion of the Prime Minister with Robert D. Kaplan:
