Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stylianidis Visits AHI to Discuss Business Relations between Greece and the U.S.

WASHINGTON, DC—On September 27, 2004, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Greece Evripidis Stylianidis, Special Advisor Georgios Pandremenos, and Ambassador George Vallantis, accompanied by the Deputy Chief of Mission to the Greek Embassy Eleftherios Anghelopoulos visited the American Hellenic Institute’s headquarters, the Hellenic House. The Greek officials met with members of the AHI leadership, including Advisory Committee members James Marketos and Kostas Alexakis, AHI-VA Chapter President Thanos Basdekis, Legal Counsel Nick Karambelas, AHI President Gene Rossides, Executive Director Nick Larigakis and the staff.

During the one-hour meeting, the members of the AHI leadership had the opportunity to review several items of mutual interest concerning U.S. business relations with Greece, including ways to intensify bilateral economic ties, and American investments to Greece and Greek exports to the U.S. The meeting also included a discussion of how to advance these items in mutual cooperation, as well as a review of AHI’s initiatives in engaging the Greek American community in business ties with Greece.

Although Minister Stylianidis enumerated certain challenges in doing business with Greece, he also emphasized that his government has gone about strengthening economic ties to the U.S. carefully and steadily.

Minister Stylianidis laid out the strategic plan for developing new markets and improving the economy in Greece. "In order to accomplish this goal, the Foreign Ministry’s two main targets include strengthening exports and attracting foreign investment to Greece," said Minister Stylianidis.

The government hopes to gain support in achieving its objectives through its strong ties to the Greek American communities nation-wide.

"AHI looks forward to working very closely with Minister Stylianidis and his staff to facilitate common objectives. This fits directly with one of our core objectives at the AHI, mainly the strengthening of U.S. relations with Greece via business opportunities," said Executive Director Nick Larigakis.

Attached are two photographs from Minister Stylianidis visit to AHI.

Deputy Foreign Minister Stylianidis with AHI President Gene Rossides.

Minister Stylianidis centered with AHI staff and Advisory Board.

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For additional information, please contact Georgia Economou at (202) 785-8430 or at georgia@ahiworld.org. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our Web site at http://www.ahiworld.org.

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