Congresswoman Maloney honored by Ambassador Mallias

Greece's appreciation for her service in the promotion of the Greek-US relations and consistent support to issues of Greek interest in the US House of Representatives was conveyed to Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, by Greek Ambassador in Washington Alexandros Mallias during a meeting at her office on Capitol Hill.

In a symbolic gesture, Ambassador Mallias presented her with an artistically made copy of the US House resolution 356 that urges FYROM to cease "hostile actions and propaganda" against Greece, in the adoption of which she had played a decisive role. Ambassador Mallias underlined that the resolution was signed by 120 House Representatives, an achievement highly appreciated by Greece and the 3 million-strong Greek-American community.

Responding, Congresswoman Maloney underlined the "need to protect the Greekness of the Macedonian culture and history" and condemned the "provocative actions by FYROM that kindle irredentism against Greece". She expressed "strong support to the constructive efforts made by Greece aimed at finding a solution to the FYROM name issue," and stressed that "a necessary precondition for FYROM's accession to NATO is a change of stance by Skopje".

Maloney also criticised as awrong and unfair move the recognition of FYROM under the name 'Macedonia' by the US government soon after the 2004 elections, pointing out that it will have to be corrected, and expressed her determination to continue her legislative initiatives toward this direction.