NEW YORK – In an atmosphere that included warm words of recognition for Greece’s global image, both regarding its economic performance and its contributions to stability on the international scene in a dangerous period, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis received the Atlantic Council’s Global Citizen Award from Pfizer CEO Dr. Albert Bourla.

(Greek PM Mitsotakis in Astoria on Tuesday, Will Meet with Community Representatives)

This international award from the Atlantic Council is given to select politicians, businesspeople, artists, activists, and other global figures for their actions and contributions. This year’s awards also honored Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo, and pioneering entertainment leader from South Korea, Miky Lee.

Atlantic Council Chairman John F.W. Rogers said that “this evening, the Atlantic Council recognizes a rare few who inspire us and the world to shine; to believe in something better, and strive for something brighter, and safeguard those ideals we hold sacrosanct. They represent the very best of our transatlantic partnership and serve as beacons, guiding us towards a highest aspiration.”

He noted about Mitsotakis, that “fleeing his country as a child – our next honoree – he found his way back home before finding success at Harvard and in a business career, and finally, the prime minister of Greece.”

Dr. Albert Bourla expressed being delighted and feeling privileged to introduce Mitsotakis, saying that, “Prime Minister Mitsotakis is a devoted leader of my home country of Greece, a rising voice for peace and equity around the world and a visionary champion of a new era of economic prosperity, powered by technology and innovation.”

Dr. Bourla also noted that “The Economist called Greece as the country of the year in 2023. Prime Minister Mitsotakis guided this tremendous comeback by empowering the forces of entrepreneurship and innovation. At the same time, he’s also focused on income inequality and helping those in greatest need. He’s driven important changes in education and health, as well as progressive advances in diversity and inclusion, reflecting a change in society… The impact of his leadership also extends far beyond the nation’s borders. He’s a champion for European solidarity and a steadfast partner of the West.”

“This award belongs most of all to the people of Greece for their resilience and their perseverance.”

Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic @kmitsotakis accepts the Atlantic Council’s 2024 Global Citizen Award. #GCA2024 #ACAwards pic.twitter.com/zPhyopR3zN

— Atlantic Council (@AtlanticCouncil) September 24, 2024

Receiving the award, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who took the stage to the song ‘Paradise City’ by his beloved Guns N’ Roses, emphasized that “I really feel that this award belongs most of all to the people of Greece for their resilience and their perseverance and for what they have achieved over the past years… Think what we have achieved in Greece is to demonstrate that one can actually govern from the political center, that one can be pro-growth but also fiscally disciplined; that one can be – and let me resonate here the words of my good friend Giorgia Meloni – one can be a true patriot by being very much focused on strong defense and at the same time protecting our borders. But… one can also be socially liberal, focused on delivering high-quality public goods but also reducing inequalities. And this, what I call this new triangulation, actually has the ability to bring together people from different ideological origins and to create a broader coalition that restores fundamental trust in politics.”

Mitsotakis emphasized that “the grievances of the people who actually vote for the populists are very much real, whether they’re related to income inequality, whether they’re related to issues of identity, whether they’re related to the consequences of globalization, with the winners and the losers it produces. These are real grievances and we need to be very careful to address them, and certainly, certainly, not appear condescending to the concerns of the average people.”

“Your achievements and impact as a global leader are a testament to your knowledge, integrity, honor, but especially your courage.”@Pfizer Chairman and CEO @AlbertBourla introduces #GCA2024 honoree, Greek Prime Minister @kmitsotakis. pic.twitter.com/fb6Xa7QOYZ

— Atlantic Council (@AtlanticCouncil) September 24, 2024

He concluded by saying “let me finish with a quote from a European leader I deeply respect, the former President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. He said something that struck me before I even became Prime Minister. He said that once we get elected, we all know what to do, we just don’t know how to get reelected if we do what we have to do. Well, if there’s one lesson from Greek history, it’s that my good friend was wrong. We got re-elected by doing exactly what was right, and the Greek people rewarded us for it.”

The event was attended by influential figures, including billionaire businessman Elon Musk, who presented Meloni with her award.