American Hellenic Institute

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Georgea Polizos
March 21, 2017—No. 09 (202) 785-8430

AHI Submits Testimony to House Appropriations Subcommittee on FY2018 Foreign Aid to Southeastern Europe, Eastern Mediterranean

WASHINGTON, DC — The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) submitted testimony to the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs on the Trump Administration’s foreign aid proposal for FY2018 on March 21, 2017.

In the best interests of the United States, AHI’s testimony opposed: 1) any military assistance the administration will request for Turkey until Turkey withdraws all of its troops and illegal Turkish settlers in Cyprus; (2) the proposed elimination of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC); (3) aid the administration will request for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM); and (4) any reduction that might be introduced in the aid levels for the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus.  Also in keeping with the best interests of the United States, AHI supported an increased investment for NATO ally Greece’s International Military Education and Training (IMET) program funding level to a recommended appropriation of $420,000.

In addition, AHI’s testimony recommended that should a settlement to reunify Cyprus be reached via referendum, United States foreign assistance can help solidify a reunified Cyprus and its government during the post-referendum transition period.  

“It is vital to ensure the Greek American community’s positions on American foreign aid to this region are submitted for the public record via the subcommittee’s acceptance of written testimony, especially in a challenging budgetary environment,” President Nick Larigakis, who authored the testimony, said.  “We thank the subcommittee for the opportunity to submit our testimony which is presented in the best interests of the United States.”

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs is chaired by U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY).  U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), who is the ranking member of the full appropriations committee, is also the subcommittee’s ranking member.

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.

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For additional information, please contact Georgea Polizos at (202) 785-8430 or atpr@ahiworld.org. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our website at https://www.ahiworld.org and follow us on Twitter @TheAHIinDC.