WASHINGTON — Dozens of members of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association descended upon Capitol Hill Thursday to advocate for U.S.-Greece and Cyprus security issues, amid a moment where the war in Iran is troubling the entire Eastern Mediterranean region.
In March, Iranian drones struck the Royal Air Force Akrotiri base in Cyprus as part of the broader war in Iran. No deaths or injuries were reported but the drone caused minor damage to a hangar. It was the first and only time the conflict, launched in part by President Trump, reached NATO territory.
Greek Air Force fighter jets intercepted two additional drones headed toward Cyprus in Lebanese airspace. Greece has long-pledged to defend the island of Cyprus, which is split between Cypriot and Turkish control.
“The United States needs loyal, reliable allies in the greater area of the eastern Mediterranean,” said Savas Tsivicos, a New Jersey construction executive and member of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association. “Greece is being threatened on a daily basis by Turkey, a member of NATO, which makes the whole thing controversial because Turkey is an ally of the United States.”
Tsivicos was one of the dozens of Greek-American advocates who filed into congressional offices to make the case for two pieces of legislation: HR 8019, the U.S.-Greece Defense Cooperation Advancement Act, and HR 3307, the Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act, according to Stefanos Gemelas, government and public affairs associate for the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association.
Both proposed bills would enhance relations between the U.S. and Greece, especially militarily. HR 8019, which authorizes military education and training assistance for Greece, was advanced out of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Wednesday by a 43-3 vote. HR 3307 would direct the Department of State to expand diplomatic and energy security across the region. The bill has not advanced out of committee.
The advocacy effort comes as lawmakers in both parties increasingly view Greece as a critical strategic partner in the eastern Mediterranean amid regional instability and growing concern over energy and military security in the region. The Congressional Hellenic Caucus in the House of Representatives has over 80 members from both parties, having grown into one of the larger foreign policy-oriented caucuses in the House.
The annual American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association Capitol Hill Day, which began in 2006, brings together members from across the country for a day of meetings with members of Congress and their legislative staff.
Before going to their assigned offices, which members received via an informational pamphlet depending on their home states, the association’s Supreme President E. Chris Kaitson reminded the group of their main objective.
“We are not lobbyists, we are simply interested individuals, consumers and voters here to talk with [members of Congress] and share our concerns,” said Kaitson.
“I wanted to come by because you’re family,” said Rep. Dina Titus, D-NV, vice co-chair of the Hellenic Caucus, to a room full of the advocates. She also urged the members to keep pushing, calling Greece “our most reliable democratic ally.”
“Your voices make a difference…what we need is just a little consistency, because one day is tariffs, one day is not, one day is war, one day is Cuba, the next day it’s Venezuela, next day who knows where it’s going to be,” Titus said, referencing the numerous controversial actions taken by the Trump administration in recent months.
While Democrats focused on the growing instability in the region, Republicans who spoke to the advocates focused more on security concerns involving Turkey. The relationship between the two countries is a flashpoint with members of the Greek diaspora due to the extended contentious history between them.
Mike Haridopolos, R-FL, referenced Turkey’s 2019 purchase of a Russian-made missile defense system, which resulted in Turkey being removed from the United States’ F-35 program over concerns surrounding the Russian technology. The Lockheed Martin F-35 is a jet being regularly produced by the Department of Defense. It involves a collaborative program with allied countries, and the move eliminated Turkey’s participation.
“The F-35 is something that is also really important. It’s a real concern that the Turks chose to sign up with the Russians,” said Haridopolos, also a member of the Hellenic Caucus.
Turkish President Recep Erdogan has called the move “unfair” and has expressed his desire for Turkey to return to the program.