Washington D.C. Summit on the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act

Washington D.C. — Taso Pardalis, Director and Founding Member of the prestigious Hellenic American Leadership Council, was at the nation’s capital this week for a series of discussions and meetings surrounding the recently approved Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act (The East Med Act). The Act, advanced by Sen. Bob Menendez (NJ), and Sen. Marco Rubio (FL), promotes security and energy partnerships in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

The summit began at The Atlantic Council with a town hall conversation featuring Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The Prime Minister articulated his vision of the relationship between the U.S., Greece, and Israel in the coming decade. What followed was a series of meetings with various members of the senate, congress, and the Hellenic Parliament featuring a presentation on HALC’s aggressive 2020 agenda.

The following day began with a visit to Capitol Hill where Senators Rubio and Menendez, along with 12 other members of the House and Senate, presented Greece’s Prime Minister with a signed copy of The East Med Act. After the presentation, the participants proceeded to the Willard-Inter Continental for a HALC-sponsored banquet honoring the Prime Minister and Greece’s First Lady, Mareva Grabowski-Mitsotaki, for their leadership achievements. In turn, the Prime Minister delivered an inspirational keynote speech.

The day continued as Vice President Mike Pence and U.S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hosted a reception at the Department of State, welcoming Prime Minister Mitsotakis and supporting the strong relationship between the U.S. and Greece. The evening concluded with a private dinner with prominent community leaders and Senator Menendez celebrating the most important piece of legislation in the region in the last 40 years.

Congratulations to everyone at HALC and our partners at the AJC for all of their hard work and efforts.