NEW YORK, NY – (Photos: Manatos and Manatos)
On September 20, Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis hosted a working lunch with two representatives from each of the 17 Greek-American, national and regional organizations that co-hosted a reception in his honor earlier in the week, at which he was unable to attend. due to catastrophic flooding in Greece.
For over an hour, the Prime Minister and community leaders had an in-depth discussion on issues important to Greece and the Greek-American community.
The event took place at the residence of the Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations.
Welcoming remarks were delivered by Archbishop Elpidophoros and Mike Manatos, president of the lobbying firm Manatos and Manatos in Washington, DC.
In his speech, Prime Minister Mitsotakis, referring to the Cyprus issue, reiterated “his firm commitment to a solution to the Cyprus problem that will fully respect the decisions of the United Nations Security Council. For Greece,” he said, “any solution outside of these parameters, any idea or discussion of a two-state solution is simply not acceptable and that is something that I have had the opportunity to communicate again today to President Erdoğan.”
Regarding the evolution of the Greek economy and the improvement of the country’s investment rating, the Prime Minister stressed: “This is probably the last step in this long and arduous process to leave behind a very painful decade . And indeed, the economy is doing extremely well. Our growth is much faster than the rest of the euro zone. Not only will there be no recession in Greece, but we expect growth of over 2% this year. We continue to attract significant foreign investment and we are constantly strengthening the Greek brand in various sectors and ensuring that Greece punches above its weight, whether on matters related to the European Union or our region at large.
Regarding the first law adopted after the elections, which guarantees the removal of all obstacles allowing Greeks abroad to vote from their permanent place of residence, Kyriakos Mitsotakis said: “I think that in this way there will be a much more active participation of voters. Greeks abroad, in the diaspora, in the Greek diaspora of the United States in the civic affairs of our country. Greater and more systematic participation in public life can only bring good, and I am particularly pleased that we have managed to convince the other parties that we must move in this direction.”
The event also took place in the presence of Deputy Foreign Minister Alexandra Papadopoulou, the Permanent Representative of Greece to the UN, Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris, and the Consul General of Greece in New York, Dinos Konstantinou.
Attendees (photos) included AHEPA Supreme President Savas Tsivikos, Executive Director Bill Mossaides, AHI President Nick Larigakis, “L-100” President and Executive Director Jim Logothetis and Paulette Poulos, respectively, PSEKA President Philip Christopher, FCAO President Kyriacos Papastylianou, Hellenic Federation of New Jersey President Peter Stavrianides and Vice President Despina Kolokithas, HACC President Markos Drakotos and President Clay Maitland, as well as Vice President of the Hellenic Medical Society, Dr. Lorraine Chrysomallis.
