With the Democratic candidate having now secured his position as the 46th President of the United States, should Greeks have high expectations?
Very much so, if we rely on Joe Biden’s publicly stated philhellenic stance over the years.
You might recall back in 2011, when Biden was Vice President under the Obama administration, he told a Greek officials’ delegation to the US that he felt an “honorary Greek”.
A year later, during the election campaign he would reaffirm his stance, with a humorous vibe.
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Upon entering a coffee shop in Ohio, Biden reportedly approached a group of Greek-speaking patrons introducing himself as “Joe Bidenopoulos”!
One of the patrons reacted with a laugh, saying “Nice to meet you, I’m Paul Newman”.
But Biden was quick to reply pointing to the venue owner: “Ask George, who’s the most philhellene American of Irish heritage he’s ever know”, suggesting himself of course.
Meanwhile, the featured photo that was forwarded recently to Neos Kosmos, serves as a reminder of Biden’s stated interest in strengthening US ties with Greece.
The then Vice President under Obama’s administration is pictured with Greece’s then Prime Minister, Yiorgos Papandreou and a delegation of country officials during a meeting at the White House.
Among them was Greek Australian Demetri Dollis who was serving as Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs at the time.
Dollis was also a Labor member for Richmond in Victoria, and the state’s Deputy Leader of the Opposition from 1994 to 1997.
Sources have told Neos Kosmos that Dollis, who has maintained contact with Biden, is claiming that the Democratic candidate’s win will be favourable for Greece in the global political terrain.
In fact, a document released by Biden’s campaign team during the peak of the presidential race in mid-October promotes his “record of support for strengthening the US-Greece relationship”, outlining his “vision for Greek Americans and U.S.-Greece Relations”.
The full statement by the Biden – Harris team reads as follows:
Throughout his many years in public life, Joe Biden has a long record of engagement on issues important to Greek-Americans and a record of support for strengthening the U.S.-Greece relationship. He has worked personally with Greek leaders over many decades to strengthen the alliance. As President, Joe Biden will be committed to a strong dialogue with both Greek-American leaders and the leadership of Greece to sustain the bond between our countries.
What Joe Biden has done
As Vice President, Joe Biden took the lead in urging that the U.S. government support Greece during its financial crisis, working closely with European leaders and the International Monetary Fund to ensure that Greece got a fair deal.
Joe has long opposed the Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus and supported a comprehensive settlement to reunify the island as a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality. In 2014, he visited the island, the first sitting Vice President to do so in more than 50 years, and led White House diplomatic engagement on the Cyprus question.
Joe recently called on the Trump Administration to press Turkey to refrain from further provocative actions in the region against Greece, including threats of force.
Joe has long been a strong supporter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and given unwavering support for the ability of the Patriarchate to function in its role as the center of the Greek Orthodox Church. He treasures his visit in 2011 to the Patriarchate and each of his meetings with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. He has called on Turkey to permit the reopening of the Halki Seminary and criticized the recent decision of the Turkish government to convert the Hagia Sophia into a mosque.
Joe Biden has always been a friend of the Greek-American community, in Delaware and around the country. He is grateful for the longstanding support of the community.
Biden was humbled to receive the Oxi Day Foundation’s highest honor in 2016, and the Athenagoras Human Rights Award in 2015.
What Joe Biden will do
Joe Biden will work with our close ally Greece to advance stability in the eastern Mediterrean.
Unlike President Trump, Joe will call out Turkish behavior that is in violation of international law or that contravenes its commitments as a NATO ally, such as Turkish violations of Greek airspace.
Joe will work diplomatically to bring a resolution to the Cyprus question.
Joe will continue to be a strong voice for religious freedom globally, including the rights of the Greek Orthodox Church.