Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has marked the 250th anniversary of American Independence with a message posted on his personal Facebook account, emphasizing that Greek-American relations “transcend governments and election cycles.”
According to the Prime Minister, Greece and the United States continue to strengthen their strategic partnership through a shared commitment to freedom, democracy, and international and regional stability, stressing that relations between Athens and Washington have acquired a lasting and enduring character.
Referring to the commemorative event held at the Maximos Mansion to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American Independence, Mitsotakis said the occasion serves as a reminder of the timeless strength of liberal democratic ideals, as well as the shared historical journey of Greece and the United States over the past two and a half centuries.
He also drew connections between the Founding Fathers of the United States, ancient Greek philosophy, and the Greek War of Independence of 1821, noting that the American democratic model inspired the leaders of the Greek Revolution, while American society expressed support for Greece’s struggle for independence from an early stage.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the role of the Greek-American diaspora, describing it as a “valuable bridge” between the two nations and a cornerstone of the close partnership between Athens and Washington.
Concluding his message, Mitsotakis said that the history of the past 250 years demonstrates that enduring international relationships are built on shared values rather than temporary political circumstances. He expressed confidence that these common principles will continue to deepen the strategic partnership between Greece and the United States for the benefit of both peoples.
Excerpts from the Prime Minister’s message
“At the seat of the Greek government, the Maximos Mansion, we commemorated the 250th anniversary of American Independence—a historic milestone that reminds us of the enduring power of the ideals of liberal democracy.
It also reminds us of the shared historical journey of Greece and the United States—a relationship that extends beyond diplomatic ties and encompasses two and a half centuries of common values and historical experiences, as I noted during my address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress in May 2022.
The ideas that inspired the Founding Fathers of American Independence were rooted in ancient Greek thought, while the example of American democracy, in turn, inspired the leaders of Greece’s struggle for independence, who saw in the American experience living proof that freedom can be won through faith, unity, and determination.
The principles of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and the other architects of American democracy resonated with the vision of Rigas Feraios, Adamantios Korais, and the heroes of the Greek Revolution of 1821, who fought for democracy and national independence. When the Greeks rose up in pursuit of freedom, American society stood beside them with admiration and solidarity, giving rise to one of the earliest waves of philhellenism in the modern world.
That historic dialogue between our two democracies continues today. Greek-American relations are stronger than ever. Our two countries move forward together through an increasingly robust strategic partnership and a shared commitment to freedom, democracy, and international and regional stability, as well as through close cooperation in multilateral frameworks in which we both participate. Throughout this relationship, the Greek-American community has remained a vital bridge, making the bond between our two peoples truly unique.
The history of the past 250 years teaches us that relationships which endure are those founded on solid values rather than temporary circumstances. It took many years for the strategic depth of this partnership to be fully recognized in Greece, while in the United States it has enjoyed bipartisan support for decades.
It is now widely acknowledged that Greek-American relations transcend governments and election cycles. Our shared values remain the strongest guarantee that our strategic cooperation will continue to deepen for the benefit of both nations.”
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