In a video posted by the US Embassy in Athens, the US President Joseph R. Biden made an address to the Greek people “celebrating 200 years of friendship between our countries and the shared values that unite us”.

Paying homage to the deep ties that bind the two countries, the newly elected US president said that he was “anxious to get back to Greece” and vowed that the relationship between Greece and the US under his administration would be closer than it’s ever been.

Watch the video above. Below is the full text of Biden’s March 25th address:

“Hello everyone. On this wonderful day of celebration it is my honor, truly my honor to send the people of Greece the best wishes and the enduring friendship of the American people.

Happy 200th Greek Independence Day.

I’m sorry I can’t be with you person, I mean that sincerely, I’m anxious to get back to Greece. I remember the joy Americans felt in celebrating our own bicentennial. It was a momentous occasion for the United States, an opportunity to reflect on all that our democracy has achieved and to recommit to the core values that brought us so far.

Even though we can’t celebrate together this year as we continue to fight to get the pandemic under control, I know that the Greek people and Greek-Americans still feel an overwhelming pride in today.

I know because our American democracy was inspired in no small part by the ancient example of the Athenian democracy. And our American Revolution in turn helped spur courageous women and men of Greece to rise up and achieve their own independence. For 200 years our nations’ fates have been intertwined.

Young people from the newly formed United States joined Greeks in their fight to defend democracy and individual freedom. And when Axis powers were on the march in Europe during World War II, the Greeks bravely said, “No,” and joined us in the fight for universal rights.

Throughout everything our shared history, our close ties, family and culture, our economic and defense cooperation that binds us together – what really binds us together are our values. We are two people rooted in the common conviction that every human being is entitled to be treated with dignity. And it’s our shared commitment to liberty, human rights and the rule of law that empowers us to write our own futures, whether 200 years ago or today.

I’ve seen up close the courage and strength and character of the Greek and Greek American communities. I’ve had the honor to work for so many years with so many great leaders throughout my career.

The relationship between Greece and the United States will be no closer than ever – it’s ever been – than in my Administration.

I’m incredibly proud to be the American president who will help launch the next 200 years of our close cooperation and friendship.

So congratulations again and I wish all of you a safe and joyful Independence Day.”