Former US President Barack Obama spoke in Athens on Thursday on the sidelines of the SNF Nostos Conference 2023, held at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) in coastal southern Athens, as he arrived several days ago in Greece accompanied by Michelle Obama.
The former US first couple first vacationed in the Cyclades islands, in the central Aegean, with one destination being the isle of Antiparos. This week he visited the Acropolis archaeological site in central Athens and the adjacent Acropolis Museum.
Among other unofficial contacts, Obama met with incumbent Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, as well as the latter’s main political rival ahead of Sunday’s general election in the country, Alexis Tsipras.
Taking to his Twitter account, Mitsotakis, whose center-right New Democracy (ND) party is leading in all opinion polls, noted that it was “…a true pleasure to speak with @barackobama in Athens. Our shared values, resonating perhaps a bit more here, the birthplace of democracy, were the common thread in our discussion on the very real challenges our societies and youth face. I look forward to welcoming him again soon.”
On Wednesday evening, the former US president and Senator from Illinois met with local interns of the Obama Foundation Leaders initiative at a downtown Athens hotel.
After his meeting with Obama, Tsipras said he thanked the US leader for “supporting Greece in tough times in the past”, while touching on issues of broad inequality, tax-evasion by large multinationals, and the importance of resolving differences among countries peacefully via diplomacy.
Latest News
Insights into Greece’s Real Estate Landscape; Consumer Expectations and Challenges
The study indicates that while 66% of Greeks find recent real estate price hikes concerning and liken them to a "bubble," over half (56%) still anticipate further increases.
Athens in Top 10 Best Value City Breaks
Every year, Post Office Travel Money compares the costs of short breaks in cities across Europe for UK holidaymakers
Athens Int’l Airport: Americans Lead Total Passenger Traffic in Q1
According to the data processed by AIA, the top 10 in foreign arrivals are dominated by Americans, followed by the British and Germans. Other top nationalities include Cypriots, Italians, French, Dutch, Israelis, Poles, and Turks.
Greek PM Mitsotakis and Turkish President Erdogan Meet in Ankara Today
No major developments are expected, as the key aim of the meetings between the two leaders is to maintain positive diplomatic relations, but Greece is always vigilant for any surprises from the Turkish leader.
New Athens Metro Line Hopes to Alleviate Heavy City Traffic
The massive project is expected to be completed in 2029
National Intelligence Agency DG to Accompany Greek PM to Ankara
Prime Minister Mitsotakis also gave an interview to Turkish newspaper Milliyet regarding his upcoming visit
Draft Bill Eyes Detection of Uninsured, Poorly-Maintained Vehicles in Greece
According to reports, at least half a million vehicles in Greece are uninsured, while the number of those without inspections is unknown
AIA: Passenger Traffic Up by 16.3% in April
Passenger traffic at the Athens International Airport (AIA) amounted to 2.49 million during April 2024
Fitch Solutions: Greece Set to Welcome 40 Million Tourists Annually by 2028
However, Fitch Solutions highlights concerns about overtourism, cautioning that it could strain Greece's capacity to deliver quality services, potentially leading to neglect of popular destinations
ELSTAT: Q1 Exports Down 11% – Trade Deficit Up 8.7%
Amid international uncertainty and armed conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine in 2023, Greek exports continued to decline, ending the year with an 8.5% drop