AHI President Talks U.S.-Turkey Relations, Arms Sales with CNN Greece
No. 33
CNN Greece interviewed American Hellenic Institute President Nick Larigakis about the state of U.S. relations with Greece and Turkey. Journalist Maria Tsilinikou conducted the interview, which CNN Greece published on March 14, 2024.
Larigakis described U.S.-Turkey relations as “strained and complicated” despite the State Department’s ongoing attempts to find areas of cooperation with Ankara.
“The fundamentals of Turkey’s interests are increasingly diverging from U.S. interests, and this continues to remain an issue,” Larigakis said.
In contrast, “Greece is a longtime proven and dependable U.S. and NATO ally,” Larigakis said, adding the Institute contends U.S. policy toward Greece should never be viewed through the prism of Turkey, or any third-party country.
The sale of fighter jets to Turkey and their potential threat against Greece served as topic of discussion.
“Realistically, should Turkey use the jets in an aggressive manner against Greece, the U.S. can sanction Turkey and block the sale of future arms and weapons to Turkey as a deterrent,” Larigakis said. “AHI contends Turkey should not receive any arms sales due its violation of the rule of law and U.S. law.”
Turkey’s violations in the Eastern Mediterranean include its occupation of Cyprus in addition to its longstanding aggression toward Greece, the recent détente between Greece and Turkey notwithstanding, Larigakis added.
Tsilinikou also raised the issue of the conversion of this historic Chora church to a mosque based upon AHI’s letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the matter. Larigakis shared the State Department’s response provided by Rashad Hussain, U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom. Ambassador Hussain offered to meet with Larigakis on the topic of religious freedom in Turkey.
“Thank you to Maria Tsilinikou and CNN Greece for the opportunity to share our thoughts and positions on these key developments in the region,” Larigakis said.
To read a translation of the interview questions and answers, click here.
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.
