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For Immediate Release
Sunday, October 23, 2011
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Contact: AHEPA Headquarters
Phone: (202) 232-6300
Email: press@ahepa.org
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Press Release
AHEPA Meets with Turkish Government Officials in Ankara
WASHINGTON - A high-level delegation from the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), a leading association for the nation's three million American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes, met with Turkish government officials in Ankara, Turkey on Thurs. Oct. 20, 2011, announced Supreme President Dr. John Grossomanides, who led the delegation.
"There have been significant developments in the eastern Mediterranean during the past year and a half," Dr. Grossomanides said. "Therefore, we felt the time was right to meet with the Turkish government to express the sentiments of the Greek American community. We found the meetings to be productive and informative, and we look to continue the dialogue with the Turkish government."
AHEPA met with Turkey's Minister for EU Affairs & Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis, Ambassador Selim Yenel, deputy undersecretary for the Americas and Public Diplomacy; and Kerim Uras, deputy director of the Turkish foreign ministry's directorate for Greece and Cyprus, who has been named as Turkey's new ambassador to Greece.
AHEPA discussed relations between Greece and Turkey, the Cyprus issue, and religious freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Past Supreme President Nick Smyrnis, Past Canadian Presidents Nick Aroutzidis and Lazar Kalopolidis, and Executive Director Basil Mossaidis accompanied Supreme President Dr. Grossomanides to Ankara for the meetings.
In addition, the delegation met with American Ambassador to Turkey Francis J. Ricciardone, Jr. for a morning briefing. "We deeply appreciate the efforts of Ambassador Ricciardone and his fine embassy staff who helped to coordinate our successful visit to Ankara," said Dr. Grossomanides.
AHEPA was the first Greek American organization to visit Ankara to meet with the Turkish government in May 1997. Subsequent visits occurred in April 1998 and May 2001, the latter of which to encourage rapprochement between Greece and Turkey. Thursday's visit is the fourth time AHEPA has traveled to Ankara to meet with the Turkish government.
AHEPA is in Turkey on the occasion of the 20th anniversary celebration of the enthronement of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.
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AHEPA is the largest Greek-American association in the world with chapters in the United States, Canada, Greece, Cyprus, and sister chapters in Australia and New Zealand. It was established in 1922 by visionary Greek Americans to protect Hellenes from prejudice originating from the KKK, and in its history, AHEPA joined with the NAACP and B'nai B'rith International to fight discrimination.
The mission of the AHEPA family is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility and family and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism.
For more information about the AHEPA family, or how to join, please contact AHEPA Headquarters, (202) 232-6300, or visit www.ahepa.org. To learn more about the AHEPA National Educational Foundation, please visit www.ahepa.org/education.