The AHEPAN - Winter 2011-12 - (Page 12)

ahepa continues on the path of rapprochement By AHEPA Executive Director Basil N. Mossaidis I AHEPA discussed relations between Greece and Turkey, n international relations rapprochement, which the Cyprus issue, and religious freedom for the Ecumenical comes from the French word rapprocher (“to bring Patriarchate. together”), is a re-establishment of cordial relations, “We found the meetings to be productive and informaas between two countries. In the political scene of tive, and we look to continue the dialogue with the Turkish an individual country rapprochement means the bringing government,” said Dr. Grossomanides. “We deeply appretogether of diverse political factions as, for example, durciate the efforts of Ambassador Ricciardone and his fine ing metapolitefsi in Greece. embassy staff who helped to coordinate our successful visit This definition best represents the initiative of AHEPA on to Ankara,” said Dr. Grossomanides. its recent mission to visit Ankara, the capital of Turkey on Past Supreme President Nick Smyrnis, Past Canadian October 20, 2011. AHEPA was the first Greek American orgaPresidents Nick Aroutzidis, Lazar Kalopolidis and I accomnization to visit Ankara to meet with the Turkish government panied Supreme President Dr. Grossomanides to Ankara for in May 1997. Subsequent visits occurred in April 1998 and the meetings. May 2001, the latter of which to encourage rapprochement As a first-time participant on a visit to Ankara, I looked between Greece and Turkey. Now, ten years since its last visit forward to and welcomed the experience. The exchange of there, AHEPA Supreme President Dr. John Grossomanides dialogue and discussion of the issues—even if you disagree felt it important to return to Ankara to resume dialogue with with the positions that are expressed—is extremely important Turkish government officials. because it can serve as a starting point for working toward “There have been significant developments in the eastsolutions that benefit everyone’s ern Mediterranean during best interests. Organizations the past year and a half,” Dr. such as AHEPA can play a role Grossomanides said, who also however modest in the larger led the delegation to events picture of rapprochement by at the Ecumenical Patriarchate helping to facilitate communicelebrating the 20th anniversary cation. Whether it is conveying of the enthronement of His All a message of appreciation for Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch recent actions taken to return Bartholomew. “Therefore, we properties to religious minorifelt the time was right to meet ties or a message of concern with the Turkish government to about tensions escalating in the express the sentiments of the (L-R): Past Canadian President Aroutzidis, Executive Director region it is nevertheless imporGreek American community.” tant for any government, be it Dr. Grossomanides led a Mossaidis, Supreme President Dr. Grossomanides, Turkish Minister for EU Affairs & Chief Negotiator Bagis, Past Supreme Turkish, Greek, or American, high-level delegation of past President Smyrnis and Past Canadian President Kalipolidis. to hear from the people that AHEPA international officers these actions and policies affect. And vice-versa, it is equally to meet with three influential Turkish government officials: important to hear firsthand of the efforts and challenges govTurkey’s Minister for EU Affairs & Chief Negotiator Egemen ernments face in working toward solutions. Bagis, Ambassador Selim Yenel, deputy undersecretary for I am pleased that the feedback we’ve received thus far the Americas and Public Diplomacy; and Kerim Uras, depufrom our meetings in Ankara has been positive. However, ty director of the Turkish foreign ministry’s directorate for we look to the future leaders of these nations, Greece and Greece and Cyprus, who has been named as Turkey’s new Turkey, to come together to work on initiatives that bring ambassador to Greece. In addition, the delegation met with their countries together and work together to resolve age American Ambassador to Turkey Francis J. Ricciardone, Jr. old differences. for a morning briefing. 12 the ahepan Winter 2011-12 www.ahepa.org http://www.ahepa.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The AHEPAN - Winter 2011-12

The AHEPAN - Winter 2011-12
Contents
Supreme President’s Message
Thank You
AHEPA Family News
Mailbag
Literary Corner
AHEPA Continues on Path of Rapprochement
Celebrate AHEPA’s 90th Anniversary
Reading Program Helps Deployed Troops Stay in Touch
Civic Responsibility
PAC Update
The Periclean
Housing
Athletics
AHEPA Family Chapter News
In Memoriam

The AHEPAN - Winter 2011-12