American Hellenic Institute

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AHI Hosts President Of Greek Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis At Hellenic House Meeting
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: CHRYSOULA ECONOMOPOULOS
May 16, 2002 No. 25/02 (202) 785-8430

AHI Hosts President Of Greek Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis At Hellenic House Meeting

WASHINGTON, DC — On May 13, 2002, the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) hosted the President of Greek Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis, Ambassador of Greece to the U.S. Alexander Philon, and an accompanying delegation for a meeting at Hellenic House. The Greek officials met with AHI leadership and staff for a two-hour meeting to discuss current U.S.-Greece relations, and areas of future cooperation between the Greek American community and Greece. The AHI members included Chairman James Marketos, General Counsel Nick Karambelas, founder Gene Rossides, and Executive Director Nick Larigakis.

Both Mr. Kaklamanis and Mr. Rossides stressed the key role played by Greece historically in World War II, during the Cold War and in the present day, highlighting the importance of Greece's strategic location and the key naval base at Souda Bay, Crete. Mr. Kaklamanis also emphasized that "Greece is a leader, promoting democracy. Greece has this strategic importance, as [Mr. Rossides] said, and it is also a stable democracy. Greece is also the only country in the region characterized by economic and political stability."

Mr. Rossides underscored the necessity of sustained and open lines of communication between Greece and the U.S. government. Also critical to further improving this long-standing relationship: "Greeks and Greek Americans alike must urge the younger generation to get involved in the key issues affecting U.S. relations with both Greece and Cyprus in order to continue a positive collaboration and dialogue between these countries now and in the future."

Greek American community leaders present at the meeting were Aki Bayz, Legal Counsel for the Hellenic American National Council (HANC); Theodora Hancock,co-founder of the Hellenic American Women's Council (HAWC); and George Sifakis.

For additional information regarding Apostolos Kaklamanis' visit to Hellenic House, please contact Chrysoula Economopoulos at (202) 785-8430 or atinfo@ahiworld.org. For general information on AHI, see our Web site athttps://www.ahiworld.org.