The prominent Greek-American explained that Turkey due to its size is difficult to be replaced by one country. However, it can easily be replaced by the cooperation of many countries in the region.
Erdogan is not irreplaceable, but from the attitude of the Turkish opposition regarding the Aegean and Cyprus, we see that if he loses the elections, things could be even worse, estimated the eminent Greek-American Eddie Zemenidis, speaking at an event of the Hellenic-American Union.
Mr. Zemenidis emphasized that two mistakes are being made in America, one is that it is considered that the Turkish president is irreplaceable and the second and perhaps more serious, that Erdogan is the only problem.
“The second mistake (in the USA) which I think is even more serious and here we will find our trouble, is that the only problem is Erdogan. If Erdogan loses everything will be fine, it will be solved. And we see from the attitude of the opposition regarding the Aegean, regarding the Cyprus issue, we know that it could be worse”, emphasized Mr. Zemenidis.
See the excerpt at 1:01:22
In order to highlight the effectiveness and value of the Greek-American lobby, especially in these complicated and difficult times, Eddie Zemenidis referred to the mistakes of the American “experts” in foreign policy. He explained that Turkey due to its size is difficult to be replaced by one country. However, it can easily be replaced by the cooperation of many countries in the region. Greece’s strategy and its cooperation with Israel, Egypt, Bulgaria and other countries is moving in the right direction to cover the geopolitical gap.
At another point in his speech, Eddie Zemenidis emphasized that “the Greek lobby is not us Greek-Americans, but you Greeks”. He referred to Mitsotakis, with his brilliant appearance in Congress, Dendias, Panagiotopoulos, Kairides, Koumoutsakos, Hatzivasiliou, Kalpadakis, and all those who participated in the Delphi Forum on March 14-15 in Washington.
In the panel discussion on the topic “Why the Hellenic-American Lobby?”, the Professor of International Relations at Panteion University and Member of Parliament for the Northern Sector of Athens, Dimitris Kairidis, and the President of the Board of the Hellenic-American Union, Leonidas Foivos Koskos, participated. The discussion was moderated by Journalist and Author, Makis Provatas.
THE Leonidas Phoebus Koskos, President of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic-American Union, referred to the history of the Greek communities of the Diaspora, which has always been a wonderful element. As early as 800 BC and the first migration that turned the Mediterranean Sea into a Greek lake, the Greek Diaspora coexisted with many cultural or ethnic groups in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. There he conveyed a thirst for education and knowledge, the immense love for freedom, the entrepreneurial spirit, the democratic organization, the perception that the citizen’s self-realization happens through his participation in the life of the “city”. The same story continued with Alexander and his successors, as well as with the “Orthodox Commonwealth” of the 17th and 18th centuries and the galaxy of communities of the 19th and 20th centuries. Mr. Koskos then underlined that the Greek communities, together with the Greek-Americans, are thirsty to get in touch with their birthplace or the country of their ancestors, to influence Greek affairs, but the Greeks do not accept them, do not seek them and do not they realize the richness of these communities. The Hellenic American Association and the Hellenic American University were founded and operate to enable two-way communication between the galaxy of Greek communities and the national center.
THE Dimitris Kairides, referring to Greece’s relationship with its Diaspora, spoke of “Greek Kojabasism”. He noted that “the Greek state has demonstrated a Kojabasism towards its Diaspora. She may boast of her power and admire Mr. Krimizis and the prominent representatives of the Diaspora, but she wants them away in reality. Because every time he involved them in internal matters, he probably made them suffer and they suffered. We are a state that wants everything good to go abroad so that the rest of us can control the small pie, and this is a problem.” Mr. Kairides even gave a typical example of Anna Diamantopoulou, who in 2011 tried to bring Greeks of the Diaspora and foreign professors to Greek universities, but the Greek Kotjabasism sent them to the fire from the outside… He concluded that “at all levels the Diaspora beyond the political role it plays abroad, is a wealth. We have to see it that way, but we need institutions.”
The event was also attended by Mr. Stamatis Krimiziswho participated with his question while a lively discussion followed, mainly with the young part of the audience.
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