WASHINGTON, DC —The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) applauds the enactment of the FY2018 Omnibus appropriations bill, which President Donald J. Trump signed into law, March 23, 2018.

            “The fiscal year 2018 appropriations bill will bolster relations between the United States and Greece, especially in defense cooperation,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said.

AHI worked with Congress to secure a much-needed boost for Greece’s International Military Education and Training Program, after the Administration submitted an FY2018 budget request of $150,000. AHI recommended an increase in the investment to Greece’s IMET program to House and Senate appropriators in written testimony AHI President Larigakis submitted in March and June 2017.  AHI worked with Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs; to secure an initial appropriation of $425,000 in the U.S. Senate’s FY2018 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill, in September 2017.

Separately, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, visited with Greek and U.S. government officials in Washington and Athens, to gain firsthand knowledge about defense cooperation between NATO allies Greece and United States.

“As chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Graham was instrumental in the final appropriation of $1 million for Greece’s IMET program,” Larigakis said. “We thank Congress, especially Senators Graham and Van Hollen, appropriators whose lead helped to secure this funding for Greece’s IMET program.  It will bolster the number of Hellenic officers who are able to receive training in the United States to the benefit of relations between longtime NATO allies, United States and Greece.”

Report Language Included on Greece’s F-16 Upgrade Request

Also, AHI welcomes report language that accompanies the legislation that also requires the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to submit a report to Congress recommending how Foreign Military Financing can be used to support Greece’s purchase of F-16 upgrades.

“As U.S. Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt has described in recent interviews, Greece’s role as ‘a regional pillar of stability,’ and ‘a builder of bridges,’ especially in defense cooperation, has been evident,” Larigakis said. “The fiscal year 2018 spending bill sends a strong message that the United States appreciates its alliance with Greece.”

No. 18

WASHINGTON, DC — AHI Foundation President Constantine Galanis served as one of several Grand Marshals at the Tarpon Springs, Fla., Greek Independence Day parade held March 18, 2018.  AHI President Nick Larigakis participated as an Honored Guest of the parade committee.     

“It was an honor for AHI to be recognized in this esteemed manner by the organizers of the Tarpon Springs Greek Independence Day Parade,” Larigakis said.  “We enjoyed celebrating the 197th anniversary of Greek Independence with the historic community of Tarpon Springs and surrounding areas.  We commend the organizers and thank everyone who attended and participated.”

In his remarks to the audience, Larigakis reminded the community that its work is not done as long as Turkey continues its aggression in the Aegean Sea, its occupation of the Republic of Cyprus, and its suppression of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s religious freedom. He added all of these acts are in violation of international and U.S. law, and because of the latter, the community must reach out to their members of Congress to advocate on these issues.

“It was a pleasure and a privilege to participate in the Greek Independence Day Parade in Tarpon Springs,” Galanis said. “The sea of Greek flags on both sides of the streets held by the people was inspiring and made my conviction even stronger to continue to participate and support all activities that support and promote Hellenism throughout the United States.  Greece and Cyprus need our support during these days and our struggle will not cease until Greece is no longer threatened by its neighbors and until Cyprus is freed.”

While in Tarpon Springs, Rear Admiral Ioannis Paxivanakis, deputy chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, presented President Larigakis and President Galanis with an honorary plaque at the annual Greek Independence Day dinner.

Finally, we would like to congratulate long time AHI member George Mermelas, Public Relations Chairman of the Parade Committee, who was responsible for helping to organization, once again, this year’s highly successful Greek Independence Parade in Tarpon Springs, Florida.

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.”

 No. 16

WASHINGTON, DC —Huffington Post Greece interviewed American Hellenic Institute (AHI) President Nick Larigakis on: AHI’s policy work in Washington, United States relations with Greece and Cyprus, and the latest developments in the eastern Mediterranean, including recent acts of Turkish provocation and aggression that have raised tensions in the region. 

Journalist Emi Livaniou Zisiopoulou, head of Huffington Post Greece’s “Special Edition” report, conducted the interview.  Zisiopoulou is also the publisher of "I DINAMI THS RPOSFORAS,” hosts a weekly radio show on Athens 9.84 radio station and is a former anchorwoman at Star Channel.

“I appreciated the opportunity to speak with Ms. Zisiopoulou to discuss the current state of relations between the United States, Greece and Cyprus, and AHI’s work on these important policy matters.”