The supply strong defense aid to Greece and the Republic of Cyprus argued the president of the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) Nick Laryngakis with a written memorandum filed with the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Government, Foreign Enterprises and Related Programs.

The AHI president’s testimony came as part of the congressional consultation on the foreign aid proposal filed by the Biden administration for fiscal year 2025.

Mr. Laryngakis underlined the proven geostrategic importance of Greece for the United States. In this light he suggested to the Subcommittee:

  • Credit of $1.8 million for Greece through the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program.
  • Annual credit of $25 million over two years (2025 and 2026) for Greece through the European Recapitalization Incentive Program (ERIP).
  • An additional $6 million for Greece through the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program for fiscal year 2025.
  • A $500,000 credit for the Republic of Cyprus through the IMET program.

Mr. Laryngakis’ testimony highlighted Turkey’s unpredictable behavior, which, he said, is at odds with American interests as well as budget goals. AHI therefore expressed its opposition to:

  • any proposed foreign aid and support to Turkey until Turkey ends its provocations and aggression towards Cyprus and until Turkey takes tangible steps to resolve the outstanding problems with Greece in the spirit of the “declaration of friendly relations and good neighborliness » of December 7, 2023.
  • any proposed reduction in the level of assistance to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

The MP Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida is the chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Government, Foreign Enterprise and Related Programs. Rep. Barbara Lee of California is the minority leader on the subcommittee.

“We thank Chairman Diaz-Balart, Minority Leader Barbara Lee, and the members of the subcommittee, for considering our submission as they shape the budget bill for fiscal year 2025. It is vital that we ensure that the positions of the Greek-American community regarding US foreign aid in this increasingly vital region are presented, registered in the public debate and taken into account when lawmakers work on spending bills,” noted Nick Laryngakis.

Finally, AHI will also submit written testimony to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Government, Foreign Enterprise, and Related Programs in May.