WASHINGTON, DC —The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Order of AHEPA), American Hellenic Institute (AHI), B’nai B’rith International, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, held a virtual Ambassadors Forum with the American ambassadors to Greece, Cyprus, and Israel, January 19, 2022.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Thomas Nides, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus Judith Garber, and U.S. Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt, briefed the leadership of each of the four organizations on the 3+1 framework in the Eastern Mediterranean, touching on developments in sectors such as energy, defense and security, commerce, and tourism.
After the briefing, the organizations issued the following statement:
“We sincerely thank Ambassadors Nides, Garber, and Pyatt for their generous time and for highlighting the importance of the trilateral partnership and the engagement of the United States as part of the 3+1 framework.
“The 3+1 framework is in the best of interest of the United States as it fosters peace, security, stability, and shared democratic values and ideals, in a vital region. We will continue to lend our broad diaspora support, ideas, and encouragement for advancing the framework, especially as we plan our fifth Leadership Mission to Israel, Cyprus, and Greece, later this year”.
“An honor to join AHI, AHEPA, B’nai B’rith and Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. I reaffirmed our commitment to 3+1, one of the most important developments during my tenure in Greece. We remain powerfully committed to energy interconnection and peace & stability in the Eastern Mediterranean”, U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Geoffrey Pyatt said in a tweet after the meeting.
Participants
Supreme President Jimmy Kokotas and Executive Director Basil Mossaidis represented AHEPA and President Nick Larigakis, AHI Foundation President Leon Andris, AHI Foundation Board Member James Lagos and AHI Board Member Kostas Alexakis represented the American Hellenic Institute (AHI). On behalf of the B’nai B’rith International participated President Seth J. Riklin, CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin and Director of B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem Alan Schneider. Representing the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations were Chair Dianne Lob, CEO William C. Daroff and Vice Chair Malcolm Hoenlein.
Background
In January 2020, the four organizations completed their fourth Leadership Mission to Israel, Cyprus, and Greece. A fifth mission in 2022, delayed due to the pandemic, is planned for later this year. The ground-breaking inaugural mission to the three countries took place January 2014 and led to Diaspora support for the tripartite, greater understanding between our communities, and the greater recognition of our common values, intents, and aspirations.
In December 2018, the four organizations co-sponsored an international conference held in Jerusalem titled, “New Realities in the Eastern Mediterranean.”
In August 2011 and December 2012 AHEPA, AHI, B’nai B’rith International, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations co-organized roundtable discussions in New York City between leaders of the American Jewish and American Hellenic communities.
