Kyriakos Mitsotakis is currently in conversation with American author Robert D. Kaplan at the Delphi Economic Forum.

Watch the Prime Minister’s conversation with Robert D. Kaplan live in the video below:

Mitsotakis: “Greece is No Longer the Black Sheep of Europe – We’re a Proud NATO Member and a Key Player in EU Policy”

“Greece is a European country. It’s a NATO member—and I would say, a proud one. It’s now part of the European Union, no longer the ‘black sheep’ it once was. This allows us to play an important role in shaping European policy. Greece also enjoys a strategic relationship with the United States, one that it deeply values. And of course, it sits at the crossroads of three continents,” said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, addressing the increasingly complex geopolitical environment and recent developments that have placed Greece at the center of international attention.

Mitsotakis also spoke about the issue of U.S. tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump and their 90-day suspension, warning that “there will be only losers if a solution isn’t found.”

He expressed satisfaction over Trump’s decision to pause the tariffs:

“The fact that President Trump hit the pause button and suspended the tariffs is something that pleases me,” he said.

“Yes, there’s still a 10% tariff, which isn’t insignificant, but it’s far less than what was initially announced,” Mitsotakis added. He stressed that this 90-day window “should be used for an honest discussion on the tariff regime between the U.S. and Europe.”

The Prime Minister emphasized the need for a mutually beneficial agreement:

“Both sides need to reach a deal that works for everyone. I remain cautiously optimistic that there’s room to maneuver.”

He also warned of the broader consequences of escalating trade tensions:

“We must recognize that a global trade war would have severe repercussions for all nations—including the United States. The international markets have already sent a clear signal: tariffs are a major concern.”

Mitsotakis reiterated his view that placing tariffs on products like olive oil, olives, and feta makes little sense:

“There is no logic in imposing tariffs on products that have no impact on the U.S. productive base.”

“As Wages and Jobs Rise, So Does Our Optimism for the Future”

Addressing domestic politics, Mitsotakis remarked:

“The specter of populism still lingers. We sometimes forget too easily what happened in our country just a decade ago. Today, there’s a strong center-right government, while the rest of the opposition is fragmented. As a result, our political system lacks balance, and that gives space for populism to resurface.”

He added:

“I’m confident that as long as we fulfill our commitments, as long as we continue to raise wages and create jobs, better days lie ahead. We’re in a strong fiscal position, and that’s something the average citizen is beginning to understand. As long as we stay on this path and remain humble, we have a solid chance of winning the 2027 elections.”

Mitsotakis also underlined the importance of political stability, noting:

“Stability is more important than ever. In Greece, the government enjoys a strong parliamentary majority—something that is clearly appreciated by international investors.”