President Obama Visits Greece on Final International Trip

Barack Obama visited Greece on November 15 and 16 and met with President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, and Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the President of New Democracy, the main opposition party. During his meeting with his American counterpart, Pavlopoulos discussed pressing issues in Greek foreign policy, including the Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus since 1974. Pavlopoulos stated that the current dispute is “an international and European issue” and that the solution has to abide by international law while avoiding anachronistic methods and occupying forces. Cyprus is important to Greece due to its Greek population and the cultural ties that exist between the two regions.

The two leaders also discussed Greco-Turkish relations. President Pavlopoulos denounced Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent questioning of the legitimacy of the Treaty of Lausanne, which defines the borders of the two states, and stressed that such actions violate international law.

Finally, Pavlopoulos stressed the ongoing name issue with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). He stated that the neighboring state is vindicating a name in an attempt to change history and make irredentist and territorial claims. The Greek Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Finance, Nikos Kontzias and Euclid Tsakalotos, respectively, also attended the meeting and were joined by United States Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew, National Security Advisor Susan Rice, and Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt.

Kathimerini reports that during his meeting with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, President Obama discussed domestic issues, including Greece’s debt crisis, problems of security and stability in the wider Mediterranean region, and the refugee crisis. Obama lauded the Greeks for their stance towards the migrant crisis and complimented the Greek people for their material support and hospitality. Obama also congratulated Greece for its commitment and loyalty to NATO and had a discussion with Prime Minister Tsipras on energy supplies in the region, such as the increasingly important role of Greece after the construction of the TAP and IGB natural gas pipes.

During his statements, President Obama pointed out that austerity is not a sustainable solution by itself. He emphasized the importance of assisting the Greek people while also bringing up the issue of debt reduction. He also stressed the need for reforms, which will make Greece more attractive for future investment, and pledged to continue encouraging Greece’s creditors to do everything possible to bring the country back to the path of recovery. President Obama bade farewell to Greece with a speech that was characterized as an “ode to democracy” at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, where he praised Greece, its contribution to civilization, and the values that it stands for and conveys.