The elections in Greece were won by the New Democracy Party and Kriakos Mitsotakis was elected as Prime Minister of Greece for another term. The Greek elections were also welcomed by the international community. Indeed, the West would like to see a stable partner in Greece. Especially given the growing tensions in Europe, relations with a new actor were likely to be exhausting.
In addition to its efforts to ensure economic and political stability in domestic politics, the Athens administration is also attempting to create a favorable climate in foreign policy. To elaborate, Mitsotakis is seen as an important ally both for his European partners and for the United States of America (USA). Recognizing this role and the importance of its geopolitical position, the government is engaged in contacts to turn the situation in its favor. In this context, it has particularly strengthened its relations with the United States.
As can be understood, Mitsotakis’ foreign policy orientation is to create a positive atmosphere in relations with the West rather than aggression and to ensure a moderate debate. Most fundamentally, this orientation is influenced by Greece’s attempt to benefit from the strategies of global powers. Therefore, Athens’ foreign policy approaches are aimed at establishing new cooperation and partnerships.
What is important to emphasize is the relations between Washington and Athens. The US sees Greece as indispensable for its interests in the Eastern Mediterranean. In this regard, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller’s remarks on Greece confirm the aforementioned. [1] In its struggle against Russia and China, Washington seeks to maintain its power in both the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. Hence, it considers Greece as an important implementer of its policies. This relationship stems from the US being seen as a catalyst by Athens.
The Mitsotakis administration, reading the situation well, aims to play a leading role in the policies of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the region. This has led to a deepening of US-Greece relations. Therefore, Athens is likely to take confidence-building initiatives in the region in the coming period. Neither NATO nor Athens can succeed in implementing its policies in the absence of healthy diplomatic dialogues and stability.
It should be noted that after the elections in Greece, the Mitsotakis administration has the potential to increase its credibility in foreign policy. Indeed, due to its majority in the Greek Parliament, the government has the means to implement its reforms with ease. [2] Ultimately, this creates a favorable atmosphere for the development of the country’s economy. Therefore, Athens is becoming an attractive center for actors developing various policies in the region.
Athens seeks to ensure that the positive climate in the region continues in a consistent and sustained manner. Given the power of the United States and its strong relations with the Washington administration, it would be in Athens’ favor to pursue a policy of appeasement in the region. Accordingly, the Mitsotakis administration is expected to increase its contacts with states in the region on issues such as tourism, technology and trade. In a region where there is cooperation and interdependence, it is difficult to experience tensions.
Taken together, this environment serves Greece’s interests. This is because a foreign policy in this direction facilitates the support of the United States. In the end, Greece benefits both from its cooperation and its relations with the US. In fact, Bob Menendez, the Chairman of the US Foreign Relations Committee, assured that allies such as Greece would remain strong.[3]
To put it bluntly, the Biden administration recognizes the importance of Athens for its interests in the region. This is why actors with whom Athens has conflicting interests face pressure from Washington. Moreover, Athens is a willing partner for NATO’s new rearmament initiatives in the region. The bet also helps Greece to project a “credible” image in the eyes of the West.
Athens seeks to make more friends than enemies in the region and to encourage negotiations in this regard. What should be emphasized here is that although Greece emphasizes a positive climate in its foreign policy, it ultimately wants to be the main power in the region.
As can be understood, Greece-US relations will continue to develop with increasing momentum in the coming period. Especially with the Russia-Ukraine War, the West started to see Greece as an important “energy hub alternative”. This increases the strategic importance of cooperation with Greece for European actors and the United States.
As a result, US-Greece relations are being built on solid foundations. In particular, Washington supports Athens in its foreign policy, as it is one of the most important implementers of NATO in the region. What needs to be emphasized is that the US has pursued a policy of appeasement towards the actors with whom Mitsotakis has clashed in the region.
[1] “PM Discusses Vilnius with US Secretary of State”, Ekathimerini, https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1214975/mitsotakis-in-call-with-blinken/, (Accessed: 08.07.2023).
[2] “Analysts: Strong Gov’t in Greece to Benefit Its Economy”, Ekathimerini, https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1214985/analysts-strong-govt-in-greece-to-benefit-its-economy/, (Accessed: 08.07.2023).
[3] “Senator Menendez assures that Congress Will Ensure Greece’s Strong Position”, Ekathimerini, https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1215096/sen-menendez-assures-that-congress-will-ensure-greeces-strong-position/, (Accessed: 10.07.2023).
