U.S. Ambassador to Greece George Tsunis reflecting on the important work of AHI
No. 2
ATHENS, GREECE - The American Hellenic Institute (AHI), in cooperation with the AHI-Athens Chapter, hosted the panel discussion, “AHI 50 Years of Service: The Role of the Greek American Community in Advancing U.S.-Greece Relations,” at the Hotel Grande Bretagne, December 13, 2023.
The program featured opening remarks from U.S. Ambassador George J. Tsunis and a panel discussion that featured a pair of former Greek Ambassadors to the U.S., Haris Lalacos and Alexandros P. Mallias. Constantinos Arvanitopoulos, Ph.D., professor of International Politics at Panteion University, Athens, moderated the panel discussion, which was followed by a Q&A session. AHI-Athens President Vice Admiral Vasilis Kyriazis (ret., H.N.) welcomed the audience and AHI President Nick Larigakis delivered closing remarks and thanked the program’s participants, attendees, and event sponsors.
In his welcome, Kyriazis shared the importance of AHI’s 50 years of service to the Greek American community and its achievements under the late Founder Eugene Rossides, and current president, Nick Larigakis, whose efforts Kyriazis described as being “unwavering.”
Ambassador Tsunis’ remarks touched upon the tremendous asset Greek American organizations and the community have been to the strengthening of U.S.-Greece relations, which remain at an all-time high. He also paid tribute to Eugene Rossides and his vision to form AHI as well as the ongoing leadership of the Institute through President Larigakis.
“I am pleased to be here to help launch the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of AHI and the legacy of Eugene Rossides,” he said. “Through his personal achievements in sports, law, and government service, he was an inspiration to thousands of Greek-Americans pursuing the American dream. And I congratulate Nick Larigakis for following in his footsteps and driving AHI into the future. AHI demonstrates the importance of the Greek-American community as a bridge between the United States and Greece, strengthening relations between two great allies.”
The ambassador spoke with pride about being a U.S. ambassador who comes from the Greek American community.
“My parents instilled in me the best of what the United States and Greece have to offer. They left Greece with nothing but hope and a strong foundation of Greek values,” Tsunis said. “They might not have survived after World War II were it not for the United States, and the Marshall Plan, through which the United States sent Greece over six million tons of food and supplies. It is an honor to be America’s most visible representative today in Greece, whose rebounding economy is on a path to grow three times faster than the European Union average over the next three years, continuing a remarkable comeback.
He also spoke about the diligent work taking place at the U.S. Embassy to deepen the strategic U.S.-Greece defense relationship and to attract U.S. investment, adding, “AHI has been a crucial part of the effort to strengthen U.S.-Greece relations for 50 years.”
Ambassador Lalacos, who served as secretary general at the Hellenic Minister of Foreign Affairs in addition to being a former ambassador to the U.S., offered his insight on what he described as the “remarkable effectiveness and impact” of the Greek American community despite its limited resources, especially in its numbers. He cited the community’s cohesiveness, high levels of education, and professional success of members of the community as factors contributing to its effectiveness. Ambassador Lalacos added the visibility of the community is elevated by the various sizes and scales of many Greek American organizations. He also touched on the excellent state of U.S.-Greece relations.
Ambassador Mallias called the American Hellenic community a “success story.” He concurred with Ambassador Lalacos, stating, “The Hellenic American Community is one of the smallest in number, yet one of the most dynamic and influential.” Ambassador Mallias recalled how he used to encourage Greek American organizations to “synergize” or work together because it offered a more amplified and focused message. He also paid his compliments to AHI, reflecting on the work of Rossides and Larigakis, and the Institute’s 50-year tradition of uniting the Greek and Cypriot communities in the United States. “As I used to say while in Washington, if AHI didn’t exist, we should have invented it,” he said.
AHI President Nick Larigakis
In addition, the program featured President Larigakis presenting a video that highlights AHI’s 50 years of public policy research and advocacy for upholding the rule of law since Turkey’s invasion of the Republic of Cyprus in 1974.
AHI thanks the following sponsors for their support of the presentation and reception:
President’s Circle: Magdaline and Paun Peters, Ft. Worth, Texas
Chairman’s Circle: Aeroservices; AKT; and Jim & Ted Pedas, Washington, D.C.
Benefactors: Capital Product Partners, L.P.; EFA Group; Omega Industries, Inc.; George C. Economou & Associates, Athens; James H. Lagos, Springfield, Ohio; Navios Maritime Holdings, Inc.; Bill Mataragas, Chicago, Illinois
Sponsors: Enterprise Greece Invest & Trade; Hotel Grande Bretagne; Kapotas S.A.; Leon Andris, Washington, D.C.; International Propeller Club of the United States; K. Arvanitis S.A.; PEMA.
“We thank all our benefactors and sponsors that helped to make this event a success,” Larigakis said. “We especially are grateful to our President’s and Chairman’s Circle sponsors for their generosity and support. I would also like to especially thank our expert panelists for sharing their insights, and AHI-Athens Chapter President retired Vice Admiral Kyriazis for his participation and invaluable assistance in organizing a successful presentation.”
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The American Hellenic Institute is an independent 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 us at (561) 529-0306 or [email protected]. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our website at http://www.ahiworld.org.