Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Kalimera.  Let me just say what an honor it is for me and for our whole U.S. Navy team to have Prime Minister Mitsotakis and his national security team on board the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower here in Souda Bay today.  Souda is the crown jewel of our defense cooperation, and the support that Greece provides is indispensable to the American security presence in Eastern Mediterranean.

But more importantly, this visit, this interoperation that’s happened between our forces, our pilots flying together, the MH-60 Romeos landing onboard a Hellenic Navy vessel, all of this reflects the convergence of interests between our countries but also the values that bind us together, and especially in this week of Greek Independence Day and the celebration of the Greek bicentennial.

I know I speak for President Biden and the whole administration in underlining our enduring commitment to that alliance but also President Biden’s decision and his personal commitment to take this relationship to an even higher level.

So thank you, Prime Minister, and we look forward to working with you and your team to build an even stronger base for the future.