Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will address a Joint Meeting of the US Congress (House of Representatives and Senate) on May 17 after an invitation of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
Government sources say Nancy Pelosi’s invitation to the Prime Minister to address Congress on Tuesday (May 17th), a day after his meeting at the White House with US President Joe Biden, shows Greece’s strong role in the wider region, the excellent level of bilateral relations and the recognition of the high prestige of Kyriakos Mitsotakis internationally.
It should be noted that he is the first Greek Prime Minister to address the Congress, while an invitation for such a speech is addressed in very exceptional cases to foreign leaders.
Also, the fact that the visit and the speech take place at this critical time underscores even more their importance and sends multiple messages, according to the same sources.
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The Press Release:
Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent the following letter on behalf of the bipartisan Congressional leadership to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis inviting him to address a Joint Meeting of Congress on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. ET.
In the letter, the Speaker wrote: “As our world faces a pivotal moment in the fight between the forces of democracy and autocracy, the transatlantic alliance remains vital to the future of freedom in the world. The Congress and our Country look forward to hearing your message of democratic values as we continue to strengthen our partnership, bolster security and freedom worldwide, and build a brighter future for our children.”
Below is the text of the letter to the Prime Minister:
* * *
April 28, 2022
His Excellency Kyriakos Mitsotakis
Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic
General Secretariat of the Prime Minister
Maximos Mansion
Herod Atticus 19
10674 Athens, Greece
Dear Mr. Prime Minister:
On behalf of the bipartisan leadership of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, it is my honor to invite you to address a Joint Meeting of the two houses of Congress, assembled in the Chamber of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. It is our great privilege to host you for this belated commemoration of the Greek bicentennial, which we had to unfortunately delay last year due to the pandemic.
The unshakable bond between the United States and Greece is firmly rooted in our shared history and values. When drafting our Constitution, our Founders drew on the Ancient Greek ideals of liberty and democracy. Decades later, the Hellenic Republic was born of the same yearning for independence and self-government that ignited the American Revolution. Today, more than two centuries later, our nations are key allies on the world stage: advancing our mutual security and economic interests, as well as promoting our shared democratic values in the world.
As our world faces a pivotal moment in the fight between the forces of democracy and autocracy, the transatlantic alliance remains vital to the future of freedom in the world. The Congress and our Country look forward to hearing your message of democratic values as we continue to strengthen our partnership, bolster security and freedom worldwide, and build a brighter future for our children.
best regards,
NANCY PELOSI
Speaker of the House
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