Biden hosts Greek premier at White House for first formal sit-down

WASHINGTON

US President Joe Biden hosted on Monday Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the White House for their first formal sit-down since the president assumed office.

Biden and Mitsotakis had previously met, including when Biden served as former President Barack Obama's vice president and at various international summits, but Monday's meeting marks the first official bilateral meeting between the heads of state.

Mitsotakis was last at the White House in January of 2020 when he was hosted by former President Donald Trump.

Biden thanked the Greek leader for "moral leadership," and said they would discuss a range of issues behind closed doors including defense partnerships, energy and climate change.

Mitsotakis further remarked that relations between Washington and Athens are at "an all-time high."

The leaders did not take questions before entering their formal discussions alongside delegations of over a half-dozen officials from each country.