ANNUAL REPORT 2018 American Hellenic Institute American Hellenic Institute Foundation AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTITUTE TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 1 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ......................................................................................... 3 PUBLIC POLICY: AN OVERVIEW .....................................................................11 LEGISLATIVE & POLICY INITIATIVES .............................................................14 MEDIA RELATIONS .................................................................................................17 AWARDS DINNER ....................................................................................................19 LEADERSHIP VISITS ABROAD ..........................................................................21 BRIEFINGS, CONFERENCES & FORUMS ....................................................23 GENERAL NEWS .......................................................................................................29 HELLENIC HOUSE VISITORS ..............................................................................33 AHI FOUNDATION HIGHLIGHTS & INITIATIVES ...................................34 AHIF COLLEGE STUDENT FOREIGN POLICY TRIP TO GREECE & CYPRUS ..............................................................................35 FUTURE OF HELLENISM IN AMERICA CONFERENCE ......................37 ATHENS AWARDS DINNER ................................................................................39 LEADERSHIP, AWARDS & STAFF NEWS ......................................................40 AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTITUTE 1220 16TH STREET, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20036 www.AHIWORLD.ORG • 301-670-9728 • [email protected] 2018 ANNUAL REPORT Introduction advocacy. For FY18, Congress provided $1 to positively influence the Greek American million for the program. On the Cyprus issue, community and U.S. relations with Greece and Dear Members and Friends: AHI organized two presentations abroad in Cyprus. As the American Hellenic Institute marks its March titled, “The Cyprus Crisis: A Declassified The Eastern Mediterranean remains immensely 44th year as the only Greek American think- Dossier” that featured AHI Foundation important to U.S. interests, and we must tank and public policy center, I am proud to Graduate Fellow Gregory Graves’ 31 volumes advance and promote policies that embrace present the Institute’s 2018 Annual Report. All of research he has conducted on the Cyprus the rule of law. Greece is a reliable, steady, of AHI’s policy-based programs and initiatives crisis. Graves presented to the Cypriot House and trusted NATO ally—a frontline state in the that advocate for the rule of law and advance of Representatives and to an audience at the fight against terrorism. On the other hand, the best interests of the United States on University of Piraeus. Turkey’s troublesome foreign policy direction, policies of importance to Greek Americans are Further, the Institute especially is proud several which includes unprecedented heightened encapsulated in this report. dignitaries visited Hellenic House in 2018. Turkish aggression in the Aegean and in Cyprus’ In 2018, AHI issued 76 press releases detailing Among the visitors were: Greece’s Minister of exclusive economic zone (EEZ), is ongoing and our numerous policy activities and events. Defense Panos Kammenos, Foreign Minister of unnecessarily places lives in harm’s way, and These activities included: the 43rd Annual the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides furthermore, must be called out. As Cyprus Hellenic Heritage Achievement and National and Ambassador of Cyprus to the United States settlement talks have halted, Turkey still Public Service Awards Dinner; the 17th annual Marios Lyssiotis; Deputy Assistant Secretary maintains more than 40,000 illegal troops on “Future of Hellenism in America” conference; of State for European and Eurasian Affairs the island and insists on keeping its guarantor the 14th Annual Awards Dinner in Athens; Matthew Palmer, Chief of the Hellenic National status in a post-settlement unified Cyprus, our annual “Congressional Salute to Greek Defense General Staff Admiral Evangelos which is unacceptable. There has been no Independence Day” on Capitol Hill; our 5th Apostolakis, and His Beatitude Theophilos progress with respect to religious freedom in annual “Greek Heritage Night” with the III, Patriarch of Jerusalem and All Palestine. Turkey, including the plight of the Ecumenical Philadelphia Phillies that provides tremendous Moreover, AHI’s work has been commended Patriarchate, despite calls from entities such as public exposure for Greece and our Greek by members of Congress, U.S. Ambassador the U.S. Commission on International Religious heritage; our annual trips to Greece and Geoffrey Pyatt, and Admiral Apostolakis, Freedom to address it. We must be extremely Cyprus, including our landmark 10th Annual among others. vigilant to make certain the United States ensures FYROM adheres to all elements of the Study Abroad Program; and our numerous Also, I am pleased AHI’s close-working public policy conferences and forums. Prespes Agreement, and does not deviate from collaboration with leading American Jewish the agreement, if it is ratified. All these issues At AHI, the majority of our efforts focus on organizations and AHEPA in support for the require our collective attention and action. advancing U.S. relations with Greece and burgeoning Greece-Cyprus-Israel partnership continued with two events that bookended Therefore, as advocates for the rule of law, we Cyprus as in the best interests of the U.S., and th to support the Greek American community. In 2018. In January, a third Leadership Mission must work to educate a new 116 Congress; to Greece, Cyprus and Israel proved fruitful, one which will welcome at least 100 non- this regard, we engaged policymakers in the th Trump administration and Congress through and in December, I had the honor to present incumbent winners. The 116 Congress also policy letters, testimony, and face-to-face on a panel at a major International Conference will be the most diverse. It remains a significant meetings with high-ranking administration held in Jerusalem organized by B’nai B’rith challenge to educate new legislators and keep officials and a significant number of members International and The Jerusalem Institute for incumbents informed and engaged on our of Congress and their staffs. To keep our key Strategic Studies. In an increasingly dangerous policy issues. Also, amid a cramped foreign audiences informed, we circulate op-ed pieces part of the world, it is important for us to do policy agenda in Washington, we will continue and articles in addition to publishing our our part to ensure the trilateral partnership to work with the Trump Administration Capital Reports and hosting policy forums. AHI continues to expand across all sectors, lending to sustain the welcomed high-level of also remains an important resource for media stability to the region. Separately, in a first, engagement with the inaugural U.S.-Greece outlets seeking the Greek American perspective I had the privilege to meet and speak with Strategic Dialogue and with the Statement of on U.S. policy in the Eastern Mediterranean. the dynamic Hellenic community of Vienna, Intent the U.S. signed with Cyprus. Further, we Austria, and meet with OSCE officials—a truly must never forget that April 24, 2019 marks Moreover, AHI places letters to the editor and th AHI staff and board members appear in media momentous moment in AHI’s history. the 104 anniversary of Armenian Genocide. Finally, AHI is excited to build upon the success interviews. Furthermore, the AHI Foundation We accomplished all these initiatives thanks published the ninth volume of its Online Policy of world-class, uplifting programs such as our to the dedication of AHI’s Board of Directors study abroad program for college students Journal that provides expert policy analysis and and Policy Fellows, with the assistance from commentary. while exploring additional ways to encourage our staff, and support from our members. In growth in commerce, trade, and investment AHI hosted policy forums, conferences and December 2018, our legislative director, Peter between the United States and Greece fresh off roundtable discussions in the U.S. and abroad. Milios, moved on, and we wish him the best of 2018’s productive Thessaloniki International For example, AHI hosted intimate Washington, in his future endeavors; and Elias Gerasoulis Fair where the U.S. was the “Honored Country.” joined our staff and will be our legislative DC-based events for high-level Greek military As I reflect on 2018, I am deeply grateful and officials with U.S. government officials, defense director. I am proud both young professionals are products of AHI Foundation’s Foreign appreciative of the members, board officers sector executives, and community leaders and staff for their dedication. Everyone worked intended to raise awareness of Greece’s Policy Trip. Working together, AHI is not only returning to the influence it had in the 1970s, together to make it another productive year. strategic importance to the United States and Alongside our own activities in Washington, to advance U.S.-Greece defense cooperation. but in some ways even going beyond the most seminal moments of its early years. and abroad, AHI’s strength relies on the As a result, AHI’s policy objectives came