Greek Independence commemorated at the White House

The ties and common values shared by Greece and the United States, from the first democracy of antiquity to the modern democracies of the present day, were emphasized by U.S. President Barack Obama, U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden and the Orthodox Archbishop of America Demetrios in  speeches given during a special ceremony held at the White House to mark the 25th March anniversary of Greece's revolution for independence.

During the Wednesday event, the Archbishop also seized the chance to ask Obama to take a sympathetic approach to three major issues for Greek foreign policy: the unobstructed operation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Fanar, resolving the Cyprus problem and settling the dispute over the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

Obama spoke about the "common ideals and common struggles" of the two countries and thanked the Greek-American community for its contribution to American society, referring to his Greek-American friends and supporters in Chicago and events held to commemorate the March 25th anniversary by the Greek community of that city.

He also referred to the "strong bonds" between Greece and the United States and welcomed Greeks and Greek-Americans to the White House, stressing that cooperation between the two countries will continue in the coming years.

Among those present were Greek Justice Minister Nikos Dendias, the Greek Ambassador to the Washington Alexandros Mallias, Cyprus's Ambassador to Washington Andreas Kakouris and the U.S. Ambassador to Athens Daniel Speckhard.

The Archbishop's speech referred to the independence struggle of 1821 in Greece, noting that the freedom fighters of the Greek revolution had been greatly influenced by the American revolution that had preceded their own and America's declaration of independence in 1776 and pointing out that many American philhellenes had fought at the side of the Greeks in 1821.

Vice-president Biden referred to the assistance he had received from the Greek-American community when he was first elected to Congress nearly 40 years earlier and underlined the bonds and common values of the two peoples, noting that the two countries "originate from the same historic DNA," while he emphasized his long-term relationship with Archbishop Demetrios, describing him as a "friend".

Senator Menendez support over 'name issue' at Greek Embassy reception

U.S. Congressman Robert Menendez promised that he will continue to support Greek positions in Congress, while addressing Greek expatriates, diplomats and military officers of third countries at an event to mark the March 25 Greek Independence Day holiday at the Greek Embassy in Washington.

Menendez described Greece as a strong ally in NATO and said that Greece's objections over the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) concerned much more than a name. He also said that a clear message should be given to Ankara concerning the need for a solution to the Cyprus issue and the unobstructed operation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Those present were also briefly addressed by Greek Justice Minister Nikos Dendias, who is currently on a visit to the United States and had earlier represented the Greek government at the annual ceremony marking "Greek Independence Day" at the White House.

Dendias said he was proud to be among the Greek expatriates, stressed the strong bonds of friendship and the common roots between Greece and the United States and thanked Greece's Ambassador to Washington Alexandros Mallias, who is due to depart in June, for the services he has offered.

The event was also addressed by Archbishop of America Demetrios.