With references to the upcoming celebration to mark the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution, but also our country’s ties with the United States, the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, visited today the US Navy aircraft carrier, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, that is docked at the Souda naval base.

The Prime Minister was welcomed by the Commander of the US Navy in Europe and Africa, Admiral Robert Burke, and Rear Admiral Scott Robertson, commander of the strike team of the “Eisenhower”, while he was guided on the aircraft carrier by Captain Paul Campagna.

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“This week, as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution, we are thinking about the ties that unite us with the United States. Bonds, which are not only social, political, economic, but are primarily value bonds. We recall that Adamantios Korais corresponded very often with Thomas Jefferson,” the Prime Minister noted, among other things, emphasizing that “the military cooperation between the United States and Greece is at extremely high levels.”

Mr. Mitsotakis first visited the hangar where the MH-60R “Romeo” helicopter is kept, one of the most modern helicopters of the US Navy. Greece has signed a contract for the acquisition of four such helicopters in the first phase, to be followed by three more. The first ones will be received in mid-2022. The Prime Minister was informed by the crew about the various operational capabilities of the aircraft and its handling.

“I would like to emphasize how great an honor it is for me personally, but also for our national mission, to have with us Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his staff, from the National Security Team, on the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, at Souda base today. The base is a reference point of our Defence cooperation. The support offered by Greece is essential for the US presence in the Eastern Mediterranean. I also emphasize the decision of President Biden, but also his personal commitment to promote this relationship to an even higher level,” underlined during his address, among other things, the US Ambassador to Greece, Jeffrey Payat.

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Then, the Prime Minister walked on deck and the take off and landing runway where the F/A-18 fighter jets were. He was informed about the operational capabilities of the aircraft carrier, its armament and the mechanisms at its disposal for the safe take-off and landing of aircraft at extremely high speeds. The excellent cooperation between the armed forces of Greece and the USA, crowned in Souda, was also noted, for the defence of common values ​​and interests in the wider region.

In his statement, the Prime Minister said in detail:

“It is with great pleasure that I am today, in Souda, visiting the American aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. The military cooperation between the United States and Greece is at extremely high levels. The Souda base is the only one that can accommodate American ships of this size as our country strengthens and invests in the deterrent force of its Armed Forces, military cooperation with the United States is becoming increasingly important.

This week, as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution, we are thinking about the ties that unite us with the United States. Bonds that are not only social, political, economic, but are primarily value bonds. We recall that Adamantios Korais corresponded very often with Thomas Jefferson.

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And we do not forget, of course, that in the 22nd verse of the Hymn to Freedom there is a reference to Dionysios Solomos in “The Land of Washington”. So, the ties that unite the two countries are stronger than ever and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the American President, Joe Biden, for the very warm message with which he greeted the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution.”

Departure of the Prime Minister and symbolic gifts

After the completion of the tour, the Prime Minister had a meeting with the US Ambassador to Greece, Jeffrey Payat, Rear Admiral Burke, Rear Admiral Robertson and Captain Campagna. From the Greek side, the meeting was also attended by the Minister of Defence, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Konstantinos Floros, the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice-Admiral Stylianos Petrakis, and the Director of the Prime Minister’s Diplomatic Office, Ambassador Elena Sourani.

Upon his departure, the Prime Minister received from the crew symbolic gifts, the group photo taken earlier, a coin and a hat from the US Navy team to which the aircraft carrier belongs.

The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower leads a naval strike force with, among others, Ticonderoga-type cruisers and Arleigh Burke-type destroyers. During the voyage to Crete, the Navy “Psara” frigate was incorporated in his team, while joint exercises were held with the participation of two Greek submarines and Air Force fighters.

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Source: ANA MPA