Nancy Pelosi: Good morning, everyone. It is an honor, indeed, to welcome the Prime Minister of Greece to the Capitol. Greece, as you know, has been the source of Democratic principles since ancient times. They were a source of inspiration to us and the founding of our country. And then we were a source of inspiration to the Greeks, when they established their democracy 201 years ago. We couldn’t observe that one year ago because of COVID. But again, all the more reason to double down on our celebration this year.
Yesterday, the President welcomed the Prime Minister, as you know, to the White House in a beautiful ceremony of friendship, welcome and respect. We do so here today with gratitude for our friendship in NATO from a security standpoint, with recognition for Greece’s role in helping the Ukrainian refugees, since the brutal invasion of Ukraine and our fight against COVID and our approaching the challenge of climate. So for these and many reasons, we have a lot to discuss today. But we always like to say we learn from the Greeks, the Greeks learn from us, and now we are together as Democratic Nations. Very proud to welcome the Prime Minister, Mr. Mitsotakis to the Capitol. Thank you.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Thank you. Madam speaker. It is a real privilege, representing the Hellenic Republic, to be the first Prime Minister to be offered the honor to address a joint session of Congress. You pointed out a common trajectory of our two democracies. Indeed, your founding fathers were inspired by classical Greece. Democracy was, after all, established in Athens 25 centuries ago. And then our founding fathers drew inspiration from your struggle for freedom and independence. And over these past 201 years, these two centuries our two countries have charted parallel courses. We have fought on the same sides in world wars. We have struggled with difficulties. But today, I am happy to report that our relationship is at the strongest, at the best level it has ever been. And it will be a great privilege for me to speak in Congress, in the House of the People, and to elaborate more on this special relationship, but also to speak about the challenges that democracies are facing today, everywhere in the world. Madam Speaker, again, thank you so much for your kind words. Thank you on behalf of the Greek people for offering me this honor to be here with you today.
Nancy Pelosi: Thank you very much, Mr. Prime Minister. Yes, today is a celebration of democracy. What better way to celebrate it than to have an address to the joint session of Congress by the Prime Minister of Greece? Thank you. Mr. Prime Minister, thank you.
