NO. 73

WASHINGTON, DC — The American Hellenic Institute (AHI), in cooperation with the AHI-Athens Chapter, hosted the panel discussion, “Allies of the United States in the Eastern Mediterranean: The Importance of Pillars of Stability in a Sea of Instability,” with several experts on the topic representing the United States and Greek governments, the media, and the think-tank community. AHI held the program in Athens, Greece, Dec. 5, 2019, at the Hotel Grande Bretagne. More than 150 persons attended.

The panelists included: U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Geoffrey Pyatt, Alternate Minister of Migration from the Ministry of Citizen Protection, George Koumoutsakos, Cato Institute Senior Fellow, Doug Bandow, and Institute of International Relations Executive Director, Dr. Constantinos Filis. Fanis Papathanasiou, anchor and diplomatic correspondent, ERT, moderated the panel discussion, which was followed by a Q&A session with the audience.

During his remarks, Ambassador Pyatt addressed the maritime border Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Libya and Turkey and spoke about the implications.

“The MOU, in particular, has raised tensions in the region and is unhelpful and provocative,” Ambassador Pyatt said. “These actions run contrary to the spirit of cooperation and stability that the United States has sought to encourage in this region.”

In closing remarks, President Larigakis reaffirmed the perspective that U.S-Greece relations have never been stronger and pointed to the ongoing Strategic Dialogue and expansion of the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement. However, he also made it clear that Greece, a reliable and faithful ally of the United States, is being pressured by Turkey’s acts of aggression in the eastern Mediterranean and that NATO allies, led by the United States, must support Greece.

Six Greek TV networks covered the event.

AHI thanks the following sponsors for their support of the presentation and reception: Chairman’s Circle: AKT; G.C. Economou & Associates, Athens; Mohegan Tribe and Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment; Brandi & Nikolaos Pandis, Kerkyra; Jim & Ted Pedas, Washington, D.C. Benefactors: James H. Lagos, Company, Inc., Springfield, Ohio; Bill Mataragas, Chicago; EFA Group; Libra Group; Lockheed Martin; Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. Sponsors: Greek Dream, Inc.; Hotel Grande Bretagne; Kapotas S.A.; La Mer Beachfront Inn; The American College of Greece. Supporters: Leon Andris, Washington, D.C.; K. Arvanitis S.A.; AKMON S.A.; BOXmind Business Consultants; Pacific Coast Maritime Agencies.

“We thank all our benefactors and sponsors that helped to make this event a success,” Larigakis said. “We especially are grateful to our Chairman’s Circle sponsors for their generosity and support. I would also like to especially thank AHI-Athens President George Economou, AHI-Athens Chapter Vice President, retired Vice Admiral Vasilis Kyriazis, and AHI-Athens Chapter Board Member, Sylvia Gavalla, for their invaluable assistance in organizing a successful presentation.

ERT Interviews President Larigakis

President Nick Larigakis appeared on ERT’s highly rated morning daily news program for an interview to discuss the current situation in the Eastern Mediterranean.

In addition, meetings in Athens with key government officials were held, including with: U.S. Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt, December 2; Deputy Prime Minister of Greece Panagiotis Pikrammenos, December 2; Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, December 6; and Lt. Gen. Christos Christodoulou, chief, Hellenic National Defense General Staff, December 2. Further, Larigakis met with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including: then-Deputy Foreign Minister for Greeks Abroad Antonis Diamataris, Ambassador Elisavet Fotiadou, director, A7 Directorate for North America; Ambassador Eleni Sourani, director, A4 Directorate for Turkey, on December 3; and Ambassador Alexandra Papadopoulou, who will be the next Greek ambassador to the United States, on December 5. A December 4 meeting with former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras rounded-out President Larigakis’ business itinerary.

“I thank the senior Greek government and military officials for their generous time,” Larigakis said. “In addition to discussing the ongoing U.S.-Greece Strategic Dialogue, we reviewed AHI’s programs and initiatives that work to keep Greece at the forefront of policymakers’ agenda in Washington. We also discussed Greece’s critical role to security interests in the Eastern Mediterranean by virtue of Greece as a pillar of stability and peace and the persistent threats Greece faces from Turkey.”

President Larigakis’ Athens itinerary included speaking engagements where he discussed the U.S.-Greece relationship and detailed the policy work of AHI. Larigakis spoke at the Republicans Abroad Thanksgiving Dinner, at the Athens Club, November 29. He also presented at the Thanksgiving Dinner of AHEPA Solon Chapter HJ-04 held at Athenian Riviera in Vouliagmeni. There, Chapter President George Malamos presented President Larigakis with an award on behalf the chapter in recognition of Larigakis’ promotion of Hellenic causes and ideals.

“I am grateful for the award AHEPA Chapter HJ04 bestowed upon me and thank the chapter for the opportunity to make a presentation to its members,” Larigakis said.

Finally, President Larigakis attended a December 6 ceremony and reception held at the Greek Naval Academy in Pireaus in honor of the Feast Day of St. Nicholas, patron saint of the Hellenic Navy, at the invitation of Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Nikolaos Tsounis.

The American Hellenic Institute is a non-profit Greek American public policy center and think tank that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.

###

For additional information, please contact Elias Gerasoulis at (202) 785-8430 or at [email protected]. For general information about AHI, please visit http://www.ahiworld.org.