BOSTON, MA – Prominent businessman, philanthropist and community George Behrakis had private breakfast meeting in Boston with New Democracy President Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who is visiting from Greece.

Behrakis told TNH that it was a “good and fruitful meeting. We spoke about issues that interest me, such as smoking in Greece and the antismoking campaign we initiated there a few years ago especially among teenagers. Mr. Mitsotakis agrees with the antismoking efforts and is supportive.”

Behrakis also asked Mitsotakis why Greece doesn’t have private institutions of higher learning, to which the political leader replied he is in favor of establishing them. “We also spoke about the problems Greece faces with Turkey,” including the capture of the two Greek soldiers, Behrakis said.

Behrakis described Mitsotakis as being “very knowledgeable. He knows the issues very well. Regarding the Greek-American community, Behrakis said “Mitsotakis knows everything.” He told Mitsotakis that when Greek prime ministers visit the United States, they should not limit their trips to New York and DC, because there are many other Greek-American communities – such as in Boston and California. Such communities often feel overlooked by the Greek leaders. “Next time you come to Boston,” Behrakis said, “please notify me in advance so I can host a big reception for you so you can meet members of the Greek-American community. There are many Greeks who can invest in Greece and advance the business spirit there.”

Mitsotakis also met with officials of the Federations of the Greek-American societies of New England, headed by president Vasilios Kafkas, and they discussed Boston’s Greek community.