The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Order of AHEPA), the American Hellenic Institute (AHI), B’nai B’rith International, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations issued the following statement:

Our organizations are pleased the much anticipated Eastern Mediterranean pipeline received its final green light with the approval of the Israeli government. The cooperation amongst Israel, Greece, Cyprus, plus Italy, will help Europe to diversify its energy supply.  The approval demonstrates the strengthening of ties and the significant progress the trilateral alliance has achieved in energy cooperation and the three countries’ leadership in the region to provide energy security, which our groups wholeheartedly welcome.

Separately, we welcome as another positive indicator that bilateral relations between Greece and Israel in defense and security cooperation continues to grow. This month, the Hellenic Parliament ratified a defense agreement with Israel, and the heads of Greek and Israeli militaries met to discuss deepening ties.

We look forward to the next trilateral summit to be held in Nicosia, Cyprus, as announced following June’s meeting between the foreign ministers of Israel and Cyprus.

Finally, we are pleased to see legislative measures advancing through Congress that encourages and bolsters U.S. engagement with the Eastern Mediterranean partnership between Israel, Greece, and Cyprus, and we anticipate their passage.

We applaud the commitment to fostering peace, security, stability, and shared democratic values and ideals, in the region by all parties.  We are pleased the relationship continues to progress across all sectors. We will continue to lend our broad diaspora support and encouragement for advancing the trilateral partnership and the United States’ commitment to it.