No. 63
WASHINGTON, DC —The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) hosted the military chiefs of Greece and the Republic of Cyprus during separate events held October 17, 2018.
AHI organized a breakfast briefing with Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis, chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, for a small group of AHI members and supporters at the Capital Hilton.
AHI President Nick Larigakis led the discussion and commended Greece for being a valued and reliable NATO ally. Admiral Apostolakis presented the security challenges in the region that Greece and its allies and partners face and the role Greece plays to provide security and stability. He also discussed Greece’s enhanced defense cooperation with the United States.
Ambassador of Greece to the U.S. Haris Lalacos, Colonel Vasileios Lampropoulos, Defense attaché, Commodore Frangkiskos Leloudas, and Commander Nicholas Mamounas accompanied Admiral Apostolakis.
Additionally, AHI facilitated a private roundtable discussion for Admiral Apostolakis attended by 24 policy analysts and researchers at the Atlantic Council, an international affairs think tank, October 15.
Cyprus’s Military Chief Visits Hellenic House
Lt. General Ilias Leontaris, chief of the Cypriot National Guard, visited Hellenic House on the afternoon of October 17, 2018 for a discussion about the country’s security challenges.
President Nick Larigakis, Board Treasurer Nicholas G. Karambelas, Esq., Board Member James L. Marketos, Esq., and Legislative Director Peter Milios represented AHI. They were joined by colleagues Daniel Mariaschin, CEO/executive vice president, B’nai B’rith International and Alan Schneider, director, B’nai B’rith World Center in Jerusalem; and guest, Brian Kelleher, general manager, Capital Hilton.
In the evening, AHI hosted Lt. General Leontaris for dinner in his honor at Metro 29 Diner. Twenty AHI members and supporters attended.
“We were fortunate and proud to have the unique opportunity to host the two top military officials of Greece and Cyprus in Washington, D.C. for candid discussions with area community leaders and colleagues,” President Larigakis said. “We appreciated the opportunity to discuss the latest developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and broader region. Greece and Cyprus are playing vital roles and are contributing to the security interests of the United States and allies, and they are to be commended.”
