AHEPA
Welcomes Under Secretary’s Remarks on Visa Waiver Entry for Greece
Washington,
D.C. - The
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) welcomes the
statements made by Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, R.
Nicholas Burns, on prospects for Greece’s entry into the Visa Waiver
Program, following a working luncheon with Greece’s Tourism Minister,
Fanny Palli-Petralia, on Wed., Dec. 13, 2006.
According
to press reports, Under Secretary Burns stated the U.S. government wants
to “proceed as quickly as possible to work out arrangements to provide
Visa Waiver Status….”
“We
are pleased to learn of his remarks,” said Supreme President Gus J.
James. “We have been at the forefront of working on this issue by
creating awareness of Greece’s qualifications as a Visa Waiver nation to
key members of Congress and federal agencies. Greece certainly is
well-positioned for entry based on its own merits.”
He
continued, “Greece’s entry into the Visa Waiver Program is crucial for
the development of tourism and commerce between the two nations; however,
there is also something to be said about the goodwill this will generate,
not just with Greece, but with the European Union as well.”
James
added that he expects there to be significant progress made on this effort
in 2007.
The
mission of the AHEPA family is to promote the ideals of Hellenism,
education, philanthropy, civic responsibility and family and individual
excellence.
The
AHEPA family consists of four organizations: AHEPA, Daughters of Penelope,
Sons of Pericles
and
Maids of Athena.
For
more information about the AHEPA family, or how to join, please contact
AHEPA Headquarters,
202.232.6300,
or visit www.ahepa.org.
