Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will visit Canada on Sunday and Monday, and specifically Montreal and Toronto, according to a press release issued by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office on Wednesday.
Monday marks the anniversary of the beginning of the Greek War of Independence in 1821, and is a major national holiday.
“As NATO Allies and steadfast partners, the visit will be an opportunity to deepen the friendship between Canada and Greece,” was the statement posted by the Canadian premier to accompany the announcement.
Talks will revolve around trade and investment, climate action, and creating good, middle-class jobs, according to the press release, while also adding that “…the leaders will also explore ways to tackle regional and global challenges, like supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s unprovoked war, defending the rules-based international order, and promoting democracy around the world.”
“Canada and Greece are partners, Allies, and friends. When we work together, we create good jobs, grow trade and investment, take climate action, and protect democracies. I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Mitsotakis to Canada and advancing our work to make life better for Canadians and Greeks alike,” Trudeau’s statement concluded.
The development will mark the first time Mitsotakis has officially visited Canada since his election as Prime Minister of Greece in 2019.
Deal for water-bombing planes
Meanwhile, in a lengthy interview with the mass Canadian daily “Globe and Mail”, Mitsotakis said his visit to the North American nation will see the signing of a 360-million-euro deal to purchase five Canadian De Havilland DHC-515 (Canadair) water-dropping planes for use against devastating wildfires that often plague Greece in the summer months.
In the interview, Mitsotakis also described the 41-year period since the last official visit by a Greek prime minister to Canada as “inexplicable,” given the strong bilateral ties that exist.
Mitsotakis will meet with Trudeau on Sunday in Montreal before the two leaders attend an annual cultural parade in Quebec’s metropolis.
On Monday, the Greek PM will meet with members of Economic Club of Canada and address an audience of Greek-Canadians at the Toronto Convention Centre.
Remote address to 3rd Summit for Democracy in South Korea
In an unrelated development, earlier on Wednesday Mitsotakis remotely addressed the third Summit for Democracy in South Korea.
