Supreme President George G. Horiates has issued the following statement:

AHEPA applauds the visit of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Greece. The visit demonstrated the excellent state of relations, which is at an apex, between longtime NATO Allies, the United States and Greece. 

The meetings yielded continued progress in all facets of the bilateral relationship—regional cooperation, defense and security, law enforcement and counterterrorism, trade and investment, energy, and people-to-people ties—providing a clear path for the next Strategic Dialogue. 

In Greece, the United States has a dependable and stable ally in defense and security cooperation, a partner budding in confidence as a marketplace for U.S. investment and innovation, a provider of energy security, and an ally who respects the rule of law. 

In addition, we welcome the United States’ recognition of Greece’s “confirmed readiness to engage with other countries in the region to achieve maritime delimitation agreements through dialogue and in accordance with international law.” 

Furthermore, we are pleased to see a commitment to full implementation of the 2016 Joint Statement on Greece’s participation in the Visa Waiver Program that includes beginning issuance of an updated national identification card. 

Finally, we applaud the importance placed on people-to-people ties and the understanding that is central to U.S.-Greece relations. A major element of people-to-people ties will center on the celebration of Greece’s independence bicentennial in 2021. AHEPA looks forward with great anticipation of hosting its annual Supreme Convention in Athens in July 2021 and is pleased to be working in cooperation with the Greek government and the U.S. Embassy in Athens to join in the celebration of the bicentennial of Greece’s independence.

(photo via U.S. Embassy Athens)

# # #

Founded in 1922 in Atlanta, Georgia, on the principles that undergirded its fight for civil rights and against discrimination, bigotry, and hatred felt at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan, AHEPA is the largest and oldest grassroots association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes with more than 400 chapters across the United States, Canada, and Europe. 

AHEPA’s mission 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, please visit www.ahepa.org.