Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis travels to the United States today, Monday, September 22, to participate in the 80th High-Level Week of the UN General Assembly. A pivotal moment of his trip is considered to be the meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, on the sidelines of the Assembly.
The Prime Minister approaches the meeting with a clear agenda. “Greece will not discuss issues of demilitarization, ‘gray zones,’ or sovereignty,” he clarified in a recent interview. However, he appears willing to continue the so-called “calm waters” policy, which has already yielded benefits, such as reduced migration flows, fewer violations, and increased tourist traffic to the islands. At the same time, he maintains the “weapon” of the European veto, threatening to block Turkey’s participation in the European defense program SAFE, as long as the casus belli and Turkish revisionism persist.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ meetings in the US
During his stay in New York, the Prime Minister will hold a series of contacts with leaders, investors, and members of the Greek diaspora. Notable meetings include those with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as well as his participation in a Wall Street Journal panel titled “Is Greece back?” On Friday, September 26, Mr. Mitsotakis will address the UN General Assembly plenary, where he is expected to present Greece’s role as a pillar of stability in an era of geopolitical fluidity.
The Prime Minister’s program also includes interventions on artificial intelligence, child protection on the Internet, and international peace, as well as a meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who will be honored with the Templeton Prize.
