PM Mitsotakis to attend 4th Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit in Odessa

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will travel to Odessa on Wednesday, where he will participate, at the invitation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in the 4th Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit. Government sources recall that the Greek premier visited Odessa in March 2024 and note that the city holds special historical significance for Greece, as it was one of the most important centres of Greek education in the diaspora and the seat of the Filiki Eteria-a symbol of deep historical and cultural ties.

According to the same sources, Greece intends to contribute to the reconstruction of Odessa, whose historic centre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in January 2023.  It is noteworthy that the inaugural Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit took place in August 2023 in Athens, initiated by Kyriakos Mitsotakis. This summit marked the first leaders’ level meeting, featuring participation from leaders of the Western Balkans and European Union member states in the region.  The same sources said that Mitsotakis is expected to reiterate Greece’s support for Ukraine, as well as to underline the interest of Greece and Greek companies to participate in Ukraine’s reconstruction projects in the infrastructure and energy sectors.

He is also expected to reiterate Greece’s support for the accession perspective of Ukraine (and Moldova) and the Western Balkans, provided they meet the conditions and undertake the necessary reforms.

On Thursday, Mitsotakis will pay a bilateral visit to Moldova, where he is expected to send a message of support for the country’s European perspective. 

In the afternoon he will travel to Sweden, where he will have a meeting with his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson. Government sources emphasise that discussions will address issues of bilateral interest as well as key topics on the European agenda-particularly collective European defence-in view of the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague and the European Council meeting in June.

Mitsotakis will then participate in the Bilderberg Club meeting to be held in Stockholm. 

Source: pagenews.gr