AHI Advocates for Robust U.S. Foreign Aid to Greece, Cyprus, Opposes Aid to Turkey
No. 55
WASHINGTON, DC — American Hellenic Institute President Nick Larigakis submitted written testimony to the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs on the Biden Administration’s foreign aid proposal for FY 2025 on May 17, 2024.
In written testimony, President Larigakis stated in the best interests of the United States, and in keeping with the proposed budget’s vision, that AHI opposed: (1) any proposed foreign aid and assistance to Turkey from the United States until Turkey ends its provocations and aggression toward Cyprus and Turkey demonstrates tangible steps to resolve its outstanding problems with Greece in the spirit of the December 7, 2023 “declaration on friendly relations and good neighborliness;” and (2) any proposed reduction in the aid levels for the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus.
Based upon Greece’s demonstrated geostrategic importance to the United States, AHI recommended a $1.8 million appropriation for NATO ally Greece’s International Military Education and Training (IMET) program.
In addition, AHI recommended robust Foreign Military Financing (FMF) assistance for Greece, including $25 million for each fiscal year through to FY 2026 for European Recapitalization Incentive Program (ERIP) and an extra $6 million in FMF funding for FY 25.
AHI’s testimony also advocated for $500,000 for the Republic of Cyprus’ IMET program.
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs is chaired by U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL). U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) the Subcommittee’s ranking member.
“We thank Chairman Diaz-Balart, Ranking Member Lee, and members of the Subcommittee, for the taking our testimony into consideration as they formulate their funding bill for fiscal year 2025,” Larigakis said. “It is vital to ensure the Greek American community’s positions on American foreign aid to this increasingly vital region are presented, entered into the public record, and taken into account when appropriators work on the spending bills.”
AHI also will submit testimony to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs this month.
The American Hellenic Institute is an independent non-profit Greek American public policy center and think tank that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.
For additional information, please contact us at (202) 785-8430 or pr@ahiworld.org. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our website at http://www.ahiworld.org.
