Celebration of Greek Independence March 25, 2024.

0:00 Speaker 1 Well with us. Today is Ambassador George Sunnis. He is the American Ambassador to Greece. And Monday is Watch twenty fifth is Greek Independence Day. George Tuoni’s ambassador. Your Greek background, You’re now the ambassador to Greece from the United States.

0:22 Your forefathers were from from Greece. Tell me what the feeling is in Greece, so we may is Greece making progress in the European community? Give us an update of what you have.

0:37 Speaker 2 John, It certainly is. Greece went through a pretty severe economic crisis a decade ago. It’s now emerged as the fastest growing economy in Europe over the last three years. Its sovereign debt is investment grade fact to Greek ten years, about one hundred basis points lower than the US ten year.

0:57 It has a primary surplus, a primary budget surplus, and foreign direct investment is at a record level. So the economy is doing well. As a matter of fact, it’s growing at four or five times the rate of the Eurozone.

1:11 So they have recovered. An unemployment rate that was a twenty eight percent is now in single digits. And you know, there’s definitely optimism here. But the United States is the most popular country in Greece, record popularity, and the relationship between our two countries are as good it’s ever been.

1:31 Speaker 1 I have heard that, and I understand from some friends of mine that the economy is great and the European community, citizens of other countries are flocking to Greece because Greece is offering a special deal that if you become a resident of Greece. Do you know anything about that?

1:56 Speaker 2 Yeah, there’s two incentives. One golden visa if you purchase a home here, and the second issue is if you relocate to Greece. There’s a lot of specifics involved, but you know, just the broad strokes. You can limit your taxes to one hundred thousand over a period of five years, So very significant tax benefits and incentives if you want

2:31 to come here, and people are taking advantage of it. And it’s not just Europeans, it’s Israelis, Chinese and citizens of Turkey have taken advantage of the Golden visa. But you know, John, Greece is also like the Florida of Europe as well. You know, I’m sitting here in November, December, January, February.

2:58 You know, with seventy degree when they’re an in perpetual sunshine. So none as a beautiful place to do business, it’s a great place to live.

3:06 Speaker 1 Understood. What else would you like to tell the American people about the beautiful country of Greece.

3:15 Speaker 2 Well, our countries are so intertwined. When our countries stood up a government two hundred and forty eight years ago, it did so based on the values and the principles that were born right here in ancient Greece. That for the first time people came together with a sense of self determination, the genesis of democracy. For the first time

3:34 people determined by whom and how they would be governed. So when the US stood up a government, they borrowed from the ancient Greeks. Those principles, those values still exist today. So you know, our countries are interlocked. As the primary democracy in the world and the first democracy of the world, you know, we have an obligation to the concept of

4:02 the freedoms and the values and the principles that democracy stands for, for the rule of law and for opportunity for everyone.

4:13 Speaker 1 Well, Ambassador George Sooners, thank you for your update on Greece. I you know, I was born in Greece too, and when I go there, I have tears in my eyes of thinking of my grandfathers and great grandfathers, and well, God bless America, but I pray for Greece too. Thank you so much for doing such a great job in

4:38 Greece and looking forward to seeing you in near future.

4:42 Speaker 2 I may see you in May, John, I can’t wait. My love to your family, and I hope to see you soon, both in the US and in Greece. My friend, always a pleasure.

4:51 Speaker 1 Thank you, ambassador, Thank you so much, Thank you, thank you,