Marking its 40th anniversary, the annual PSEKA Cyprus Conference brought a powerful contingent of Greek American leaders to Washington this week, engaging directly with 35 key members of Congress, Senators, and high-level officials from the Trump Administration.
Representatives from prominent organizations, including AHEPA, AHI, the Cyprus-US Chamber of Commerce, FCAO, and the Chios Federations of America and Canada converged to press critical issues concerning the Hellenic community and to honor long-standing legislative allies. The conference served as a vital platform for direct dialogue and advocacy at a pivotal moment for U.S.-Cyprus relations.
Underscoring the Trump Administration’s engagement with the Eastern Mediterranean, Deputy Secretary of State Michael Rigas, recently confirmed by the US Senate, held crucial meetings with the Republic of Cyprus officials and prominent Greek American leaders at the 40th Annual PSEKA Cyprus Conference.
In his position, Rigas serves under the Secretary of State who is the highest-ranking Cabinet member and fourth in line for presidential succession. Serious issues relating to Cyprus were addressed in the gathering, where Secretary Rigas was presented with the Athens/Livanos Award.
This award is presented to an individual who, like Andrew Athens and George P. Livanos “has utilized ancient Hellenic values to realize extraordinary achievement in modern society while contributing to the improvement of our civilization.”
Accompanying Secretary Rigas for the award presentation were other State Department officials, Josh Huck, Deputy Assistant Secretary; Shane Siegel, Acting Deputy in Charge at the US Embassy in Cyprus; and Marlene Stearns, Cyprus Desk Officer.
Other Administration officials who participated in some of the Conference meetings included John Gountanis, Deputy Undersecretary of the Department of Homeland Security and Yuri Kim, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasian Affairs.
PSEKA conference participants meet lawmakers in Congress
In addition to meeting with and honoring Secretary Rigas, the group of Hellenic leaders traveled to the US Capitol building, where Republican and Democrat leaders of the US Congress showed their support for Cyprus and Hellenic issues.
The Republican Leader of the US House of Representatives, Steve Scalise, the Democratic Leader of the US Senate, Chuck Schumer, and the Democratic Leader of the House, Hakeem Jeffries spent considerable time with those attending the PSEKA conference discussing issues of importance to the Cypriot and Greek communities.
Republican and Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations and House Foreign Affairs Committees also met with PSEKA Conference attendees. They included the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jim Risch (R-ID), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Senator Chris Coons (D-DE).
Senator Coons also was presented the Paraskevaides/Mouyiaris Award as an individual who, like Nikos Mouyiaris and George Paraskevaides, “has utilized ancient Hellenic values to contribute to the nations and people of Cyprus and America and to Hellenism in the modern world.”
Conference attendees heard from the Ranking Member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee Gregory Meeks (D-NY) and had the opportunity to honor the Vice Chair on the House Foreign Affairs Committee Darrell Issa (R-CA) with the Sarbanes Freedom Award which recognizes those whose efforts “have contributed to the removal of the barbed wire which has divided the nation of Cyprus for over 50 years.”
As in previous PSEKA Conferences, the Ambassador of Cyprus, Evangelos Savva, hosted an evening welcoming reception for the conference attendees at his historic personal residence in Washington. The residence was once owned, during the Administration of President John F. Kennedy, by one of America’s most famous stars and a close friend to the President, Frank Sinatra.
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