No. 17

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Representative Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL), co-chair, Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, and co-chair, Congressional Hellenic Israeli Alliance, submitted into the Congressional Record, American Hellenic Institute’s (AHI) February 27, 2018 letter to President Donald J. Trump that urged the U.S. government to condemn strongly recent acts of Turkish provocation and aggression in the eastern Mediterranean and the broader region, which present dire consequences to U.S. security interests.

            In his March 13, 2018 Extension of Remarks, Congressman Bilirakis stated: “Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from the American Hellenic Institute regarding Turkey's continued dangerous actions in the eastern Mediterranean and broader region that threaten regional security and U.S. interests. As one of the co-chairs of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, I have advocated for the rights of Greece and Cyprus against the intimidating actions of Turkey. Since Turkey's Presidential referendum vote, Erdogan's government continues to ignore and violate long-standing international law and treaties--a threat to regional security and an impediment to regional interests, stability, and prosperity.”

            In addition, as he has done previously, Congressman Bilirakis stated the United States, and its regional allies, should be better prepared to respond with targeted sanctions and foreign aid restrictions for any nation that transgresses international law, including NATO ally Turkey.

AHI President Nick Larigakis stated, “We applaud Congressman Bilirakis for his staunch advocacy of Greece and Cyprus and for calling out Turkey as a threat to regional security and condemning Turkish aggression. We sincerely thank the congressman for entering our letter into the Congressional Record and his support.”