New Greek Ambassador to U.S. Visits AHI

Washington, DC — On October 6, 2005, the new Greek Ambassador to the U.S., Alexandros P. Mallias visited the American Hellenic Institute’s headquarters, the Hellenic House, for a meeting with AHI leadership and staff.

AHI leadership had the opportunity to welcome Ambassador Mallias back to AHI as the new Greek Ambassador to the U.S. The over one-hour discussion centered on items of mutual interest regarding U.S.-Greece relations.

The attendees included: AHI Advisory Board Members Kostas Alexakis, Jim Marketos, Nick Karambelas, AHI member Manny Rouvelas, AHI President Gene Rossides, AHI Executive Director Nick Larigakis and staff.

Prior to his current position, Ambassador Mallias served from 2000 to 2005 as Director of the South Eastern Europe Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Athens. From 2002 to 2003, he was the Chairman of the Coordinating Committee for the Greek EU Presidency’s program for the Balkans, and between October 2002 and April 2003, he was also National Coordinator at the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe. Ambassador Mallias received two ambassadorial promotions during this time.

Ambassador Mallias served as Chief of Mission at the Greek Embassy in Albania in 1999. In 1995, he served as Head of Division for Bulgaria and Romania at the signing of the Interim Accord between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and between 1995 and 1999, he was appointed as the first Head of Mission at the Liaison Office of the Hellenic Republic in Skopje.

In 1993, Mr. Mallias became Deputy Director of Diplomatic Cabinet of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Michael Papakonstantinou, during which time he was a member of the negotiating group headed by Mr. Papakonstantinou on the issue of the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. In 1994, he was assigned as Head of the European Community Monitor Mission Regional Office in Sofia, which deals with Bulgaria and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, during which time he visited Skopje frequently and maintained discrete contacts with FYROM’s leadership.

From 1989 to 1993, Mr. Mallias was assigned to the Permanent Mission of Greece to the United Nations in New York, as First Counselor for Political Affairs. From July to November 1990, he served as Deputy Head of the Greek Delegation to the C.S.C.E. (Charter of Paris for a New Europe) in Vienna and Paris. From September 1988 to June 1989, Mr. Mallias was a member of the Delegation of Greece to the C.S.C.E. and C.F.E. (mandate talks) in Vienna.

Promotions during this time included Minister Plenipotentiary First Class in 2001, Minister Plenipotentiary Second Class in 1997, First Counselor for Political affairs in 1989, and Second Counselor in 1988.

From 1984 to 1986, Mr. Mallias served with the Middle East Department, the Inspector General, the West Europe Department, and the Cabinet of the Secretary-General at the MFA. From 1982 to 1984, he was posted at the Embassy of Greece in Tripoli, and was promoted to First Secretary. From 1978 to 1982, he served as Deputy to the Permanent Representative of Greece to the Council of Europe, where he was promoted to Second Secretary.

Ambassador Mallias joined the Foreign Service in 1976. His first assignment from 1976 to 1978 was as Head of Unit for the Council of Europe (Attaché) in the Department for International Organizations, and was promoted to Third Secretary in 1978. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Ambassador Mallias was a Press Officer at the Permanent Mission of Greece to the United Nations in Geneva from 1975 to 1976, and a Public Affairs Officer at the Information Center for the European Union in Athens from 1970 to 1972.

Alexandros P. Mallias was born in 1949 in Athens. He is married to Mrs. Francoise-Anne Mallias and they have two daughters.

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