US Officials Join Cypriot President to Commemorate 60th Anniversary of Cyprus Independence

Twenty-five of the most powerful US senators and other officials joined Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades in an online commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Cyprus’ independence on September 30th.

Hosted by PSEKA, the Federation of Cypriot-American Organizations, along with Manatos and Manatos, the event was attended by representatives from all of the top national Greek-American and Cypriot-American organizations.

The Republic of Cyprus was represented by President Anastasiades, along with Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides and Cypriot Ambassador to the US Marios Lysiotis, among other officials.

Greece’s Ambassador to the US, Alexandra Papadopoulou, read a message from Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to the assembled dignitaries.

Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, addressed the attendees. Also attending the event were the US’ Undersecretary of State Brian Bulatao; current House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, Eliot Engel; and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member, Senator Bob Menendez.

The Chairman of the House Middle East Subcommittee and Co-Chair of the Congressional Hellenic Israeli Alliance, Congressman Ted Deutch, also spoke at the commemoration, along with American Jewish Committee CEO David Harris.

Twenty Senators and members of Congress sent their well-wishes to Cyprus during the event, including Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Oversight Subcommittee, Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH); House Foreign Affairs Europe Subcommittee Member, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and the Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Hellenic Israeli Alliance and Co-Chair of the Hellenic Caucus, Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL).

Also in attendance were the Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Hellenic Caucus, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY); House Foreign Affairs Europe Subcommittee Member, Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV); House Energy Committee Member Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD) and House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Member Congressman Charlie Crist (D-FL).

Philip Christopher, the President of PSEKA, along with Andy Manatos, CEO of Manatos & Manatos, and Mike Manatos, the President of Manatos & Manatos, presided at the online event.

The Federation of Cypriot American Organizations was represented at the commemoration by its President, Kyriacos Papastylianou; and AHEPA’s Supreme President George Horiates
was also in attendance. AHI President Nick Larigakis, along with the Cyprus-US Chamber of Commerce President Maria Pappas also took part in the commemoration.

The Hellenic American Leadership Council was represented by its Executive Director, Endy Zemenides, and the American Hellenic Council President was represented by Dr. James Dimitriou.

POMAK President Andreas Papaevripides, along with PSEKA Alternate President Tasos Zambas and AHEPA Hellenic Affairs Committee Chairman Savas Tsivicos were also in attendance, along with the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations’ Past President Andreas Comodromos.