Ninth Annual AHIF Foreign Policy Trip to Greece, Cyprus a SuccessStudents Gain Firsthand Experience about Eastern Mediterranean RegionThe American Hellenic Institute Foundation (AHIF) Foreign Policy Trip to Greece and Cyprus completed its ninth year as ten students from across the United States participated in the two-week program held June 21 to July 7, 2017. The student participants were: Elizabeth Tzimopoulos Conway, who graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Brown University in 2017 with Bachelor’s and Master's degrees in Political Science; Christopher Coombs, who graduated from the University of Utah as a double major in History and Political Science and is currently attending Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts to pursue a Masters in Divinity; Giana Damianos, a Dean’s List student at Indiana University who is majoring in Economics and Political Science and minoring in Psychology;Theofilos Koulianos, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Hampden-Sydney College with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Economics and Business. He currently is in graduate school at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business pursuing a Masters of Management Studies, and he will be studying in Shanghai beginning in January 2018; Theodore Pedas, a sophomore at Yale University who is a prospective Global Affairs major with a concentration in International Security; Stavros Piperis, who is a junior at Boston College studying Political Science and is a member of the department's Honors Program; Nico Bamberger Priskos, a 2017 graduate from the University of Utah where he double majored in Entrepreneurship and Political Science, along with a minor in International Studies; Paraskevie Ramfos, a sophomore and honors student at the University of Alabama, majoring in International Studies and minoring in French and Public Policy Studies;Stephanie Tanzi, an honors student at the College of Charleston, who is an Arts Management major and who participates at the school's Entrepreneurship Living Learning Community program; andLuke Tassopoulos, who is a fourth-year student at the University of Virginia, currently pursuing a B.A. in History as well as a Religious Studies minor. During the two-week program, the students received firsthand experience about the foreign policy issues affecting Greece and Cyprus, their relations with the U.S., and the interests of the U.S. in the region. Meetings or briefings were held with American embassies, officials from various foreign ministries, including Foreign Affairs; parliament members, religious leaders, think-tank organizations, and members of academia and the private sector of both countries. In Cyprus, the group visited the Turkish-occupied area. In Greece, the students also took a day-trip to visit Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay, Crete, where they toured the NATO Missile Firing Installation (NAMFI) and received a briefing. “For the ninth consecutive year, the trip has provided a wonderful opportunity to lead an exceptional group of students to Cyprus and Greece,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said. “It was rewarding to see them gain firsthand experience about the foreign policy issues that concern U.S. relations with Greece and Cyprus. The AHI Foundation looks forward to offering this program annually as support for it has grown and student interest remains at significant levels since the program’s inception.” Washington, DC: Diplomats, Legislators Brief StudentsPrior to their departure for Cyprus, the students gathered for briefings in Washington, June 21-22. On June 21, the students assembled at AHI’s Hellenic House in Washington for a briefing by President Larigakis and AHI Legal Counsel Nick Karambelas, Esq., partner, Sfikas & Karamebelas LLP. In the afternoon, they received briefings on the policy issues from top legislators on Capitol Hill and diplomats at the U.S Department of State. They learned about the latest on Capitol Hill pertaining to Greek American issues from the co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY). The students also visited the State Department to meet with Deputy Assistant Secretary Jonathan Cohen and Larina Konold, Cyprus desk officer. In the evening, they received a tour of the West Wing of the White House. A full day of briefings with additional diplomats occurred June 22. In the morning, the students met with Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the U.S. Leonidas Pantelidis at the Embassy of Cyprus. Following, they visited the Embassy of Greece to receive briefings from: Alexios Mitsopoulos, first counselor for Political Affairs; Fani Lenou, first secretary for Economic and Commercial Affairs; and Captain Panagiotis Papanikolaou, Naval Attaché. In the afternoon, the students were briefed by Ambassador Tom Miller, former U.S. ambassador to Greece, Ambassador Patrick Theros, former U.S. ambassador to Qatar; Paul Glastris, editor, Washington Monthly; and John Sitilides, an expert on the eastern Mediterranean and its geostrategic importance. In the evening, the students were hosted for dinner at Metro 29, owned by AHI Board Member Peter Bota.
CyprusThe delegation arrived in Nicosia, Cyprus on June 24. During their five-day stay, the students met with several high-level government officials including: Cypriot Government Spokesman NicosChristodoulides, Greek Cypriot Chief Negotiator for the Cyprus Problem Ambassador Andreas Mavroyiannis, Commissioner to the Presidency for Humanitarian Affairs and Overseas Cypriots FotisFotiou, and President of the House of Representatives Demetris Syllouris. In addition, the students had an audience with American Ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus Kathleen Doherty and members of her staff at the American Embassy, June 26. With energy finds in the eastern Mediterranean playing a pivotal geostrategic role, the students received a timely energy briefing with Ambassador George Zodiatis, director of Energy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Energy Sector Director Dr. Stelios Nikolaides, and Evi Neophytou, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism, June 26. In addition, the students toured Stavrovouni Special Forces Camp and were hosted for dinner at the Officers’ Club in the evening by Lt. Gen. Elias Leontaris, chief, National Guard General Staff. In addition, Lt. Gen. Leontaris briefed the students on defense matters, and hosted them for lunch, June 27. The day also provided the students with an audience with His Beatitude Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos II at the Holy Archbishopric of Cyprus where they also visited Archbishop Makarios’ room. The students paid their respects at Tymvos Cemetery and Kolokassides Military Post prior to departing in the afternoon for a visit to Turkish-occupied Cyprus. Visit to Turkish-occupied CyprusOne of the most eye-opening portions of the trip to Cyprus was the visit to the Turkish-occupied area. The students described their crossing over into the occupied area as entering a different world. They observed a strong, undeniable Turkish presence in the occupied area. Monuments to Turkish nationalism, culminating in two giant flags on the side of the Pentadaktylos Mountains, a Turkish flag and the “flag” of the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” marked the landscape. They serve as constant reminders of the injustice of the occupations and filled the students with a range of emotions. While in the occupied area the students visited a desecrated Orthodox Church. The church was decrepit, filled with pigeon droppings, broken windows, and ruined icons. They also witnessed desecrated and looted Orthodox cemeteries. Furthermore, the itinerary included a visit to the ghost city of Famagusta. They left knowing that what was once a busting port city is now a haunting testament to the realities of the Turkish occupation. They were shocked to see brand new resorts juxtaposed against abandoned, dilapidated properties once belonging to Greek Cypriots. “Foreign policy came to life as we explored pressing issues facing the Republic of Cyprus and Greece,” Participant Elizabeth Tzimopoulos Conway said. “It is one thing to read about foreign policy in a textbook or newspaper, yet another thing entirely to watch it unfold before your eyes. In Cyprus, we witnessed firsthand the consequences of the Turkish invasion of 1974—desecrated Greek Orthodox Churches, pillaged villages, and the abandoned ghost city of Famagusta. Despite the invasion and its devastating effects, however, we witnessed a nation that wishes to be known for more than just the Turkish conflict.” On June 28, Commissioner Fotiou and Xenophon Kallis, director of Service for Missing Persons, briefed the students prior to Commissioner Fotiou sponsoring a lunch for them that Thalia P. Antoniou and Andri Trichina hosted. The day began with the students touring Old Nicosia Airport. UNFICYP Major Robert Schutz provided the tour. For the students, visiting the old Nicosia airport brought the Turkish invasion of the island to life. The students made the observation that the airport, which was once a hub of travel and a monument to the modernity and prosperity of Cyprus, is now wrought with bullet holes, barbed wire, and crumbling walls. It stands as a decrepit monument to the horror of the Turkish invasion. Also on June 28, the students received a presentation on Cyprus history provided by Titina Loizidou. In the evening, they enjoyed dinner sponsored by Sophie Michaelides, director, Press and Information Office, and Melina Demetriou, press and information officer. On their first full day in Cyprus, the students enjoyed a day at Agia Napa beach. Overall, the Cyprus journey provided the students with a lasting impression about the Cyprus issue. Their visit to the island was both informational and inspirational, informing the students about the different facets that make up Cypriot foreign policy and showing them the devastating effects of the illegal military occupation by Turkey since 1974.
GreeceAfter an enlightening trip to Cyprus, the students embarked for an eight-day visit to Greece. On their first day in Athens, June 29, the students hit the ground running with a briefing provided by Eleni Tsekoura, director, A7 Department for North America, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They also received a guided tour of the Acropolis Museum and were hosted for dinner by Michalis Kokkinos, head of the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Students Meet Greece’s President, PM, U.S. Ambassador; Tour ParliamentThe students were excited to have an audience with President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos at the Presidential Palace on July 3—a definite highlight of the itinerary in Athens. During the hour-long meeting, President Pavlopoulos wished the students success in their studies and engaged in a Q&A discussion where he stressed his views about the importance of U.S.-Greece relations. The students were honored to meet the president and appreciated the generous amount of time he afforded them. Furthermore, the students met with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and the prime minister’s Deputy Head of Diplomatic Office Eleni Porichi on July 6. They also met with U.S. Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt at the Ambassador’s residence that day. The students received a guided tour of Hellenic Parliament on June 30. There, they met members of Parliament who comprise the Greece-U.S. Friendship Group: Evangelia Karakosta, Ioannis Tragakis, Andreas Michailidis and Ioannis Kefalogiannis; and they met with Member of Parliament Dimitrios Sevastakis, chairman, Committee on Cultural and Educational Affairs. Also, on July 5, the students met with President of New Democracy party Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Students Receive Tour of NSA Souda Bay, CreteThe students departed on a day-trip to visit Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay, Crete, July 4. Upon their arrival, they were welcomed by Captain Stylianos Papadakis, H.N., director of Command Directorate of Souda Naval Base. They also toured: the NATO Missile Firing Installation (NAMFI) and received a briefing from its commander, Brigadier General Anastasios Gkoumas; and the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Center (NMIOTC) and received a briefing from its commander, Commodore Georgios Tsogkas. The students also received a briefing at the 115thCombat Wing by Col. Ioannis Birbilis, Hellenic Air Force. The students were treated to lunch hosted by the NAMFI’s Officers’ Club. “A special thanks to Brigadier General Angelos Choudeloudis and Nora Spiliotopoulou for their support and assistance that helped to make our visit to Souda Bay a productive and educational one,”Larigakis said. “They really went above and beyond the call to ensure the students had a memorable visit.” The students continued to learn about Greece’s defense and military capabilities with a briefing they received from Lt. Col. Christos Anastasiadis, deputy director, Public Relations Directorate, Hellenic National Defense; and a meeting with Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis, chief, Hellenic National Defense General Staff, at the Ministry of Defense (essentially Greece’s Pentagon), June 30. They also received a defense policy briefing and presentation, along with a visit to the ministry’s Operations Center, led by Brigadier General Theodoros Lagios. On their last day, July 6, the students arrived at Salamis for a Greek Naval Fleet Headquarters presentation, including a visit to a Greek naval frigate and submarine. They met with Commander in Chief of the Hellenic Fleet Vice Admiral Ioannis Pavlopoulos, H.N. A tour of the H.S. Psaras, a frigate, was provided by Lieutenant Commander Dimitris Bogiatzis. Commander Michael Labiris, H.S.Papanicolis, provided a tour of the submarine.
Students Meet Ministry OfficialsThe students met with Minister of Tourism Elena Kountoura, July 5. Briefings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs resumed July 3, highlighted by meetings with Deputy Foreign Minister Terens Quick, Head of General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad Michael Kokkinos, and Director for North America Ambassador Dimitri Alexandrakis. Meetings continued with: Eleni Lianidou, deputy director, A7 North America; Ambassador Nikolaos Garilidis, A4 Directorate for Turkey; Ambassador Sophia Grammata, A3 Directorate for the Balkans; and Ambassador Giorgos Dimitriadis, A2 Directorate for Cyprus. Additional HighlightsDuring their Athens stay, with the students met with the Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP) Director General Dr. Thanos Dokos, who discussed foreign policy and contemporary issues facing Greece with the students, June 30. Captain Panagiotis Tsakos hosted a luncheon and tour of Tsakos facilities, July 5. The busy Greece itinerary did allow for some downtime and relaxation for the students, who enjoyed an all-day boat outing compliments of Katerina Pangopoulos, an AHI supporter, July 2. That evening, AHI Member George Mermelas sponsored a dinner for the students at Myrtia restaurant in Nea Smyrni. An enjoyable time was also had when the group toured Karaiskakis Stadium, home ofOlympiacos F.C., June 30, which was sponsored by Olympiacos President Evangelos Marinakis. They also sponsored dinner that evening at the exclusive Vammos restaurant. Domenicos Masoulas, director, Olympiacos Corporate Social Responsibility, represented the sponsors. “We are sincerely grateful to Mr. Marinakis and his staff for a private tour of Olympiacos Museum and the stadium,” Larigakis said. “He granted our students exclusive access to the entire complex, opening it up for their sole enjoyment, including the exquisite Vammos restaurant. Again, the students received a truly memorable experience.” Students were also guests at U.S. Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt’s residence for the U.S. Embassy’s Independence Day Reception, July 3. In addition, Dimitri Contominas hosted the students for dinner at the fine dining landmark Athenian restaurant, Aegli, July 1; Tim Ananiades, general manager, Grande Bretagne Hotel, hosted the students for a reception, July 5; and AHI-Athens President GeorgeEconomou hosted them for dinner later that evening at the Athens Club. The trip concluded with a farewell dinner hosted by the American Hellenic Institute Foundation at the Grande Bretagne. Many of the officials with whom the students met and AHI supporters attended the dinner. Each student gave a speech about his or her experience. The students’ statements differed, but there was a common thread of gratitude to all of the AHI Foundation supporters. All of the students described their experiences on the foreign policy trip as educational and life changing. “We are extremely grateful to all of our sponsors, both in Cyprus and in Greece, for their generous hospitality and for helping to make the students’ trip a memorable one,” Larigakis said. “Their selfless contributions to the AHI Foundation program are invaluable.”
Student Testimonials and Reflections…In their own words…
Throughout the program, we engaged with perspectives of all kinds—politicians, policymakers, foreign service officers, non-profit activists, military personnel, and legal experts. But the prevailing message was clear: the geopolitical significance of Cyprus and Greece is indisputable. Both countries serve as bridges between the East and West, at the crossroads between three continents, as “anchors of democracy” in the Mediterranean, and as links to the Muslim world. The AHIF trip has offered me a new appreciation for the paramount value of a fair and equitable solution in the Republic of Cyprus based on the rule of law, and for the importance of continued advocacy for lasting peace and prosperity in Cyprus and Greece. —Elizabeth Tzimopoulos Conway graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Brown University in 2017 with Bachelor’s and Master's degrees in political science. Recently she joined Deloitte's federal advisory team in Washington, D.C.
—Christopher Coombs is a graduate from the University of Utah with a double major in History and Political Science. Chris currently moved to Brookline, Massachusetts to attend Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology to pursue a Masters in Divinity.
—Giana Damianos, a Dean’s List student at Indiana University, is majoring in Economics and Political Science and minoring in Psychology. Giana is a junior and has been named a 2017 award recipient by the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation.
—Theofilos Koulianos graduated Summa Cum Laude from Hampden-Sydney College with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Economics and Business. He currently is in graduate school at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business pursuing a Masters of Management Studies and he will be studying in Shanghai beginning in January 2018.
—Theodore Pedas, a sophomore at Yale University, is a prospective Global Affairs major with a concentration in International Security.
—Stavros Piperis, a junior at Boston College, is studying Political Science and is a member of the department's Honors Program.
After this trip, I know feel the accountability as an American of Hellenic descent to fight for the removal of the Turkish troops in Cyprus, the religious freedom of the Christians and the Ecumenical Patriarch in Constantinople, promoting Greece’s geostrategic position in the Eastern Mediterranean, protecting the Aegean Sea boundary, and other issues that are important to the well- being of Greece and the United States of America. I am forever grateful to the American Hellenic Institute for expanding my knowledge on the issues and allowing me to partake in a once in a lifetime trip which allowed us to meet with a vast majority of movers and shakers in both Cyprus and Greece. A passion for Hellenism and a sense of Philotimo is what is needed to solve these tough problems.” —Nico Bamberger Priskos, graduated from the University of Utah in 2017, where he double majored in Entrepreneurship and Political Science, along with a minor in International Studies.
Going on this trip has only amplified what I already know; Greeks are disciplined hard workers that have a dedication to bettering Greece and protecting the front lines against terror. They teach us that doing the right thing is not about recognizing the glory and honor of the action, but it’s about the glory and honor within ourselves. Every encounter in life leaves an impression of who you are and what you value. My faith, judgements, and volunteer work keep me humble and grateful for the life I have. Most of all I’m thankful that I’m Greek American and that the culture gives me strength of character to not be selfish but selfless. —Paraskevie Ramfos is a sophomore and an honors student at the University of Alabama majoring in International Studies and minoring in French and Public Policy Studies.
—Stephanie Tanzi, an honors student at the College of Charleston is an Art's Management major who is part of her school's Entrepreneurship Living Learning Community program.
—Luke Tassopoulos is a fourth year at the University of Virginia, currently pursuing a B.A. in History as well as a Religious Studies minor from the College of Arts and Sciences. He also starts on his first year of a two year Accelerated Masters Program in Public Policy from the University of Virginia’s Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy.
### For additional information, please contact Peter Milios at (202) 785-8430 or at pr@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. |