Greco-cipriota VS Griko dall’Italia

I am a southern italian (specifically from that region where Griko is still spoken). I have been to almost every country in Europe, and every time I go to Greece, I am speechless at how similar the Greeks are to us. The similarities are even more pronounced than with other peoples like the Spanish or the Portuguese. Every time I visit Greece, I truly feel as if I were still in Italy. In the future, I hope to visit Cyprus as well.

Anyone finds it interesting how the word “Griko” sounds similar to “Greek”?