WASHINGTON, DC — American Hellenic Institute (AHI) President Nick Larigakis met with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Tina S. Kaidanow on Wednesday, March 30, 2011, at the U.S. Department of State.

“I appreciated the opportunity to meet with Deputy Assistant Secretary Kaidanow,” said Larigakis, who presented the deputy assistant secretary with AHI’s Policy Statements. “We had a productive meeting about the latest developments in the eastern Mediterranean. We discussed U.S. policy in the region, the Cyprus issue and ongoing settlement talks, the FYROM name-recognition issue, and religious freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate.”

With respect to a Cyprus solution, Larigakis emphasized that the United States should call for removal of Turkish troops and settlers and exert pressure on Ankara to not manipulate the ongoing direct talks. A solution must be arrived at by Cypriots for Cypriots, he added.

“We look forward to continuing to work with Deputy Assistant Secretary Kaidanow on all issues of importance to the Greek American community,” said Larigakis, who was accompanied by AHI Director of Media Relations and Research Analyst Demetra Atsaloglou.

Also attending the meeting from the Department of State were Senior Greece Desk Officer Christopher Snipes and Cyprus Desk Officer Adam Scarlatelli.

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.