Arizona senator and former US presidential candidate John McCain, as well as Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, on Tuesday evening arrived on the Dodecanese holiday island of Rhodes for a short visit.
On Wednesday the three US senators were given a guided tour of the island’s capital by Rhodes Mayor Hatzis Hatziefthymiou, with the highlights being the Palace of the Grand Magistre in the medieval town.
Afterwards, the three US lawmakers met with Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis, with talks mostly touching on Greek-American relations.
All three US senators expressed their admiration for the island’s natural beauty and praised efforts to preserve cultural heritage in the country.
McCain, a highly decorated US Navy pilot, said he first visited Rhodes during his naval career and has repeatedly visited since.
In response to a press question, McCain stressed that issues between Greece and Turkey continue to exist, but conditions have improved over the last years, adding that he believes relations will continue to improve in the future.
Sen. Lieberman expressed his optimism on the development and enhancement of the Greek-American relations.
On her part, Senator Collins thanked the local people and officials for the hospitality shown to US Navy personnel whose vessels dock at the Dodecanese island.
The US Senate trio departed the island on Wednesday afternoon.
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