American Hellenic Council

10/07/2026

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed the strong and expanding strategic relationship between Greece and the United States during their meeting in Athens.

Mitsotakis described Greece as a pillar of stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean and a reliable ally, emphasizing its role as a bridge between Europe, the United States, the Middle East and the Gulf. Discussions covered defense and security, energy, trade and investment, technology, shipping, education, culture, and regional connectivity.

The prime minister highlighted Greece’s contribution to freedom of navigation and regional security, including its participation with naval vessels in the EU’s EUNAVFOR ASPIDES operation in the Red Sea. He also stressed Greece’s growing role in European energy security through infrastructure facilitating U.S. liquefied natural gas exports to Europe and supplies to its northern neighbors.

Rubio called Greece a “strong partner” for the United States, noting that the bilateral relationship has expanded well beyond traditional defense and diplomatic cooperation to include the economy, trade, maritime rights and energy.

“I believe we can do more in the areas of the economy, energy and trade,” Rubio said, emphasizing that the two countries share a common understanding of many of the challenges they face and, in most cases, how to address them.

The two leaders also discussed developments in Ukraine, Iran, the Middle East and the wider Eastern Mediterranean, while recognizing the important role of the Greek-American community as a bridge between the two nations.

Mitsotakis said that Greek-U.S. relations are currently “at the highest level of all time,” underscoring the growing strategic importance of the partnership.

09/25/2026

From the UN speech of PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

"Over the past three years, we have made a continuous effort to improve our relations, rebuild trust and keep channels of communication open, in order to prevent an escalation of tensions that could lead to unwanted crises. This is a sensitive relationship, one that carries the weight of history".

"Indeed, given the broader and regional challenges, the situation urgently requires a common understanding of how we move forward. An understanding that will be grounded in full respect for international law and the principles of good-neighborly relations."

"After all, as I have said repeatedly, we cannot change geography; it is our destiny to live side by side".

"Allow me to reiterate that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea provides the only institutional framework for resolving our only long-standing dispute, which concerns the delimitation of the continental shelf and Exclusive Economic Zones. Dialogue is essential for peace and prosperity".

"With 172 parties, UNCLOS provides the binding legal framework within which disputes can be resolved peacefully and not by the use of force," Mitsotakis said.

"However, meaningful dialogue cannot coexist with unilateral actions that challenge the international legal order, nor can there be meaningful progress when we are faced with threats of war in response to the exercise of legitimate rights under international law".

"Such actions do not resolve disputes; they only end up worsening them. And they carry the risk of undermining the stability of our wider region"

For Cyprus:
A region which, we must not forget, still bears an open wound: the unresolved Cyprus issue. It has been 52 years since the illegal Turkish invasion and the continued occupation of part of Cyprus. A flagrant violation of international law, the consequences of which still persist today".

"For the United Nations, Cyprus remains the 'touchstone' of its credibility: its ability to uphold its own resolutions and the principles of the Charter".

Greece backs U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' push to restart talks.

"Greece fully supports the recent efforts of Secretary-General Guterres to create the right conditions for the resumption of meaningful negotiations".

"We sincerely hope that progress will be achieved during the remainder of his term, and we expect these efforts to be continued by his successor, with the same objective: the reunification of Cyprus, free of occupation forces, in accordance with the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions".

09/24/2026

Von der Leyen Calls for EU Migration Emergency Response Framework
In her State of the European Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced plans for a new emergency response framework to address sudden mass movements toward the European Union’s external borders.

Read more: https://www.tovima.com/world/von-der-leyen-calls-for-eu-migration-emergency-response-framework/

Irregular migrant arrivals into the EU fell 35% the first 8 months of 2026, but EU member states are still rattled by the Ceuta migration crisis

09/23/2026

Nicole Malliotakis: Turkey is often ‘an ally on paper’

With the strong and public endorsement of US President Donald Trump and a firmly established political base in her New York district, Nicole Malliotakis stands out as one of the few Greek American lawmakers with direct access to the White House and, importantly, with a clear willingness to use that access in support of Greece and Cyprus.

Speaking to Kathimerini, she describes Secretary of State Marco Rubio as one of the strongest supporters of the US-Greece-Cyprus relationship and voices serious concern over the prospect of American-made F-35 fighter jets being made available to Turkey.
Read More: https://www.ekathimerini.com/politics/foreign-policy/1315076/turkey-is-often-an-ally-on-paper/

09/22/2026

Global Maritime Law Experts Gather in Athens this Week
The 49th Annual Conference on Oceans Law & Policy will bring leading experts in maritime law, ocean governance and maritime security to Athens on Sept. 21-22, with the Mediterranean facing increasingly complex security challenges and competing maritime claims – a timely range of issues of critical importance to Greece.

09/22/2026

Turkey Renews Aegean Islands Rhetoric as Commando Brigade Moves Opposite Samos
Tensions in the Aegean have risen following renewed Turkish criticism of Greece’s military presence on its eastern Aegean islands. Ankara objected to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ recent visit to Kastellorizo and nearby military outposts, with Turkish officials arguing that the presence of Greek military personnel and vessels violates the island’s demilitarized status under the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty. Athens rejected the claims as legally baseless and reaffirmed Greece’s right to defend its territory.

The developments come as Turkey has confirmed the relocation of units from its 51st Commando Brigade to Söke, on the Turkish coast opposite Samos. Ankara says the redeployment was part of operational planning approved in June and denies that it was linked to Mitsotakis’ visit. The movement of an experienced commando formation to the Aegean coast has drawn attention because of its location opposite the Greek island of Samos.

The latest developments reflect renewed tensions over the military status of the Aegean islands, amid continuing disagreements between Greece and Turkey over security, territorial rights and the interpretation of international treaties.

09/22/2026

September 26 @ 10:00 AM PST 8:00 Greece | Zoom presentation in GREEK by Professor Maria Efthymiou

Hellenism 1821-1900: Origins and Leaps | a presentation by Maria Efthymiou, Professor Emerita of History

“Hellenism 1821–1900: Origins and Leaps” she will discuss how, after nine years of battle, the Greek nation achieved independence and statehood, breakthroughs that would shape its path through both the 19th and 20th centuries.

More Info and RSVP: https://www.americanhellenic.org/event/hellenism-1821-1900-origins-and-leaps-a-presentation-by-maria-efthymiou-professor-emerita-of-history-zoom-event/

09/14/2026

Halki Seminary Moves Closer to Reopening
Renovated buildings at the historic Orthodox theological school are expected to be inaugurated in late September, while plans for its return as an educational institution continue under Turkey’s legal and constitutional framework

Read more: https://www.tovima.com/world/halki-seminary-moves-closer-to-reopening/

Renovated buildings at the historic Orthodox theological school are expected to be inaugurated in late September, while plans for its return as an educational institution continue under Turkey’s legal and constitutional framework

09/13/2026

Greece, Cyprus and Egypt reaffirmed their strategic partnership at a trilateral summit in El Alamein, emphasizing cooperation on regional stability, energy, security and connectivity. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, President Nikos Christodoulides and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi stressed the importance of respecting international law, with any maritime-zone agreements required to comply with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The three leaders also highlighted their shared commitment to strengthening stability and cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean.

09/12/2026

Congressman Chris Pappas, a proud member of the Greek-American community and Co-Chair of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, has secured the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in New Hampshire. He will face former U.S. Senator John Sununu in the November general election for the seat being vacated by Senator Jeanne Shaheen.

Pappas has represented New Hampshire in Congress since 2019 and has been a strong and active voice for the Hellenic-American community on Capitol Hill. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, he has worked with colleagues on issues important to Greece, Cyprus, and the broader Hellenic community.

His campaign for the Senate marks an important next chapter in his career of public service. For the Hellenic-American community, his candidacy is also an opportunity to see a Greek-American leader seek a seat in the United States Senate.

AHC wishes Congressman Pappas the best as he begins this next chapter and will continue to keep our community informed about Greek-American candidates and issues of importance to Hellenic Americans throughout the 2026 election season.