AHI Hosts Visiting Thessaloniki Delegation For Meetings With DC Mayor's Office, Congressional Leaders

WASHINGTON -- On Monday, April 8 and Tuesday, April 9, 2002, the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) hosted a delegation from Thessaloniki comprised of leaders from various chambers of commerce, trade unions and the mayor's office for a series of meetings with key local and national government officials.

On April 8, AHI Executive Director Nick Larigakis led the delegation during a one hour meeting with Michael Hodges, Deputy Assistant for Economic Development representing Washington, D.C. Mayor Anthony A. Williams. The group discussed establishing formal cooperation between the City of Thessaloniki and Washington, D.C.

Then on Tuesday, April 9, the Thessaloniki delegation visited Hellenic House for a noontime meeting with AHI leadership, including Executive Director Nick Larigakis and Legal Counsel Nick Karembelas. After the meeting, participants attended a luncheon at the Capital Hilton which was sponsored by AHI D.C. member and prominent businessman George Christacos. Discussed during the meeting and luncheon were items of mutual concern and cooperation between AHI and the City of Thessaloniki.

The delegation, along with Mr. Larigakis, proceeded to afternoon meetings on Capitol Hill with Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) and Congressman Michael Bilirakis (R-FL) where they discussed various points of interest and mutual concern regarding the U.S.-Greece relations. Specifically highlighted was the issue of the use of the name "Macedonia" with FYROM.

Accompanying the delegation was Paul Kotrotsios, founder and president of Hermes Expo International, which took place Saturday, April 6-7, 2002 in Atlantic City at the Trump Taj Mahal. This year at the Expo, the municipality of the City of Thessaloniki was the focus of a variety of business and cultural activities. The trade show seminars also focused on trade in the U.S., Greece, Cyprus and Eastern Europe with an emphasis on upcoming opportunities to be tapped surrounding the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. During the past decade, Hermes Expo International has been responsible for convening leading Greek and American businessmen and government officials to promote trade between the U.S. and Greece. The Expo promotes products and services from Greece, Cyprus, Eastern European countries and the Mediterranean, bringing together businesses and representatives from a wide range of industries to the U.S. market.

Washington was the third stop in a four-city visit to the U.S. by the delegation. The group arrived in Washington after its stop in Atlantic City, NJ. The delegation's final destination city was New York before returning to Greece.

For additional information or photographs from AHI's meeting with the Thessaloniki delegation, please contact Chrysoula Economopoulos at (202) 785-8430 or atinfo@ahiworld.org. For general information on AHI, please see our Web site athttps://www.ahiworld.org.