New U.S. Ambassador to Greece Visits AHI

WASHINGTON, DC—On October 26, 2004, the new U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Charles P. Ries visited AHI for a one-hour meeting with leadership and staff. The AHI attendees had the opportunity to voice their perspectives on items of mutual interest regarding U.S. relations with Greece, with an emphasis on the need for a solution to the Cyprus issue. Ambassador Ries agreed that a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation is the best answer. Also discussed were the following issues: the Aegean Sea Boundary, Albania, the Macedonia name, the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Halki Patriarchal School of Theology. He concluded by saying that he will keep interactive communications with AHI regarding these and other policy issues.

Prior to his current position, Ambassador Charles P. Ries served as a Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs. He was also Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in London and Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs at the U.S. Mission to the European Union. He served as a Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for North American affairs and a member of the NAFTA negotiating team. Other positions since his joining the Foreign Service in 1977 include, special assistant and executive assistant to the Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, in the Energy Policy office, the Office of the Counselor, and at the U.S. Embassies in Ankara and Santo Domingo.

The attendees included: Former U.S. Ambassador to Greece Robert V. Keeley, Greek Desk Officer Joe Paranti, AHI Advisory Board Member Savas Savopoulos, AHI President Gene Rossides, AHI Executive Director Nick Larigakis, and staff.

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Attached please find a photograph with (l-r) AHI President Gene Rossides, AHI Executive Director Nick Larigakis, Ambassador Charles Ries, AHI Advisory Board Member Savas Savopoulos, Former Ambassador Robert V. Keeley and Greek Desk Officer Joe Paranti in the Conference room of the Hellenic House.

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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