Speaking later at a Grant Thornton event, Mitsotakis described the call, where he congratulated Trump and referenced the strong Greek-US ties established during Trump’s first term. “I am one of the few European leaders with an institutional memory of discussions with President Trump,” Mitsotakis remarked, adding that he had personally extended an invitation for Trump to visit Greece during a future tour of the region.

Greek-American relations versus broader Euro-American ties

Mitsotakis drew a distinction between Greek-American and Euro-American relations, underscoring the strategic nature of Greece’s ties with the US, particularly under the Defence Cooperation Agreement. He pointed to Greece’s role as a regional stabiliser with influence on developments in the area, suggesting that the US recognises this unique strategic value.

He further noted the bipartisan support Greece enjoys in the US Congress, recalling his invitation to address Congress as a sign of enduring cross-party backing. Mitsotakis voiced confidence that Greek-US relations would continue to strengthen, while acknowledging that Europe’s ties with the US might face more complex challenges. He urged Europe to abandon its “geopolitical naivety” and invest in its own defence, as Trump had urged NATO allies to do since 2018. Mitsotakis cited Greece as a leader in NATO, with its defence spending at 3% of GDP.

Economic policy, investment, and AI-driven innovation

Turning to economic topics, Mitsotakis reiterated Greece’s commitment to open economies and free trade, distancing himself from protectionist policies such as tariffs. He described Greece’s economic progress, crediting fiscal discipline for fostering growth while maintaining stability. Greece, he said, has “covered significant ground” since the crisis years, with strong investment and fiscal discipline that set it apart in Europe.

Mitsotakis also spoke of Greece’s favourable standing in the Eurozone, where it is seen as a model of fiscal prudence. Highlighting the importance of the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Fund, he credited it with enabling Greece to finance digital and competitive advancements, positioning the country well for future challenges. “Our investment leap is underway,” Mitsotakis said, but noted that “more needs to be done” to attract business and assure investors of Greece’s political and economic stability.

On artificial intelligence, Mitsotakis discussed the opportunities and challenges presented by this technological shift. “AI is a revolution whose impacts we cannot yet fully predict,” he remarked, stressing the importance of Greece’s proactive stance. Mitsotakis confirmed that a national AI framework, developed by a team of experts, is forthcoming, aimed at integrating AI to enhance productivity and drive Greece’s global competitiveness in the field.

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