AHI President Nick Larigakis Concludes Athens Visit
Nick Larigakis, President of the American Hellenic Institute (AHI), speaking at AHI event held at the Grande Bretagne Hotel in Athens: “One Year Since the Election of President Donald Trump: Where Do We Stand Regarding the U.S.–Greece Relationship?”
WASHINGTON, DC — American Hellenic Institute (AHI) President Nick Larigakis concluded a productive visit to Greece that included a series of high-level meetings in Athens focused on U.S.–Greece relations, regional security, and defense cooperation. During the visit, President Larigakis engaged with key government officials, military leadership, policy forums, and media, reinforcing AHI’s longstanding role in advancing the U.S.–Greece strategic partnership.
As part of the visit, AHI hosted U.S. Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle for a high-visibility policy forum on U.S.–Greece relations.
Athens Itinerary Includes Key Government, Defense, and Policy Engagements
On the defense and security front, President Larigakis engaged in several meetings with senior military leadership at the Ministry of National Defense, commonly referred to as the “Greek Pentagon.” He met with Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff General Dimitrios Choupis and Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff Lt. General Dimosthenis Grigoriadis.
Larigakis, along with AHI–Athens Chapter President, Vice Admiral Vasileios Kyriazis (ret.) H.N. (pictured on the right), met with the Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, General Dimitrios Choupis
Larigakis, along with AHI–Athens Chapter President, Vice Admiral Vasileios Kyriazis (ret.) H.N. , meeting with the Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Lt. General Dimosthenis Grigoriadis
At the invitation of Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff Vice Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras, President Larigakis attended a Hellenic Navy concert and a separate event at the Hellenic Navy Academy, both celebrating the Hellenic Navy’s Feast Day of Saint Nicholas.
While at the Navy Academy, President Larigakis held a brief sideline meeting with Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias. Separately, he also met with Vice Admiral Kataras at the Navy Chief’s office.
Larigakis with the Minister of Defense, Nikos Dendias
Further, President Larigakis met with directors at the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs responsible for portfolios covering Turkey, Cyprus, the Balkans, and the United States. During these meetings, they discussed regional developments and issues of mutual interest to Greece and the United States.
In addition to official government meetings, President Larigakis attended the annual American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce Economic Conference, including the official conference dinner, where the Prime Minister of Greece delivered the keynote address.
He also attended an invitation-only conference organized by the Delphi Economic Forum, which concluded with remarks by the Prime Minister.
“I am grateful to the government and military leaders who took the time to meet with me and discuss issues of mutual interest, as well as to the organizations that extended invitations to participate in important policy and economic discussions,” Larigakis said.
Meeting with the Chief of the Hellenic Navy, Vice Admiral Dimitrios Kataras
Larigakis with AHI–Athens Chapter President, Vice Admiral Vasileios Kyriazis (ret.) H.N., at the Hellenic Navy celebration held on the Feast Day of Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of the Hellenic Navy
Athens Visit Yields Media Coverage
As part of his visit, President Larigakis participated in a studio interview with ERT News TV journalist Fanis Papathanasiou.
AHI–Athens Chapter President Vice Admiral Vasileios Kyriazis (ret.) H.N. accompanied President Larigakis to several meetings throughout the visit.
“I also extend my sincere thanks to our Athens Chapter President Vice Admiral Vasileios Kyriazis for his support and assistance throughout the visit,” Larigakis said.
The American Hellenic Institute is a non-profit Greek American public policy center that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.
