AHI Holds Cypriot Congressional Briefing (VIDEO)

July 29, 2015
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Washington, D.C.'s American Hellenic Institute held a congressional briefing, to observe the 41st anniversary of Turkey's illegal invasion of Cyprus.

The Washington, D.C. discussion that examined the island's current international affairs, offered Congressional members the opportunity to share their thoughts on the divide, solution ideas, and how Cypriot policy agenda can advance on Capitol Hill.

AHI President Nick Larigakis stated, "For 41 years, the people of Cyprus have endured an illegal occupation and massive violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms by Turkey, an ally of the United States."

Larigakis added, "The briefing provided us with the viewpoints of Congress's leading authorities on foreign affairs, our leaders of the Hellenic Caucus, and legislators who are deeply concerned about the Cyprus issue. We thank them for their insights on the issue and their support for Cyprus."

The event was organized with the the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues and included U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), co-chair, Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues; U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), co-chair, Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues; U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), ranking member, House Committee on Foreign Affairs; U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), former chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs; U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL), member, House Committee on Foreign Affairs and co-chair, Congressional Hellenic Israeli Alliance; U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), member, House Committee on Foreign Affairs; U.S. Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI), member, House Committee on Foreign Affairs; U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ), member, Committee on Foreign Affairs; U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), ranking member, House Committee on Budget; U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD), U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas (D-MA), U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY), as speakers.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the U.S. George Chacalli and Ambassador of Greece to the U.S. Christos Panagopoulos also participated, while AHI President Larigakis served as the moderator. A video of the event can be watched by scrolling to the very end of this article.