“Europe views its relationship with the United States as strategic and values that the U.S. recognizes the significance of this connection, not just in trade but also in the geopolitical realm,” stated Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy, Tasos Hadjivassiliou, during an interview with CNN and journalist Jim Sciutto.
Currently in New York, Hadjivassiliou remarked, “We are entering a new era of geopolitics and geoeconomics, making trade wars unnecessary.” He described the recent 90-day “breathing room” given to trade negotiations between the European Union and the United States as a positive development. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has echoed this sentiment, highlighting that “this is the ideal moment to pursue a mutually advantageous agreement, even with zero tariffs, in order to preserve the robust transatlantic relationship.”
When asked about Greece’s role, the Deputy Minister emphasized, “Greece and its businesses are prepared to take an active part in Ukraine’s reconstruction, either independently or through collaboration with allied nations.” He noted his recent visit to Kiev, where he observed the extensive damage, stressing that “Ukrainians urgently need essential infrastructure, including power stations, hospitals, roads, ports, and airports.” He further mentioned that numerous Greek firms with international experience have shown interest in participating in the planning and execution of rehabilitation projects as part of the broader European initiative. “This is currently Ukraine’s top priority,” he asserted.
On the topic of European support, he made it clear that “no peace can be achieved without Kyiv being part of the negotiations.” He also highlighted that “the European Union has committed to increasing investment in collective defense, signaling its readiness to uphold its principles in full alignment with NATO.”
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