Greece’s National Defence Minister Vangelis Meimarakis, Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Miltiades Varvitsiotis, Members of Parliament and former Ministers Grigoris Niotis, George Orfanos and Christos Papoutsis were among the dignitaries who praised the work of Cypriot Americans in the national issues of Hellenism and reiterated Greece’s unequivocal support to the efforts of the Cyprus government to have the island reunited.

This year’s convention came in the wake of the so-called elections in the occupied territories that gave a majority to the hard liners, a development that could prove a setback to the hopes of a more conducive solution on behalf of the Turkish Cypriots. Also, later in May, Cyprus Federation officials are scheduled to meet with Vice President Joe Biden at the annual PSEKA conference in Washington DC.

In his speech President Peter Papanicolaou who was re-elected unopposed (with George Sofocleous as vice president and Nicos Pafitis in charge of public relations) recapped the efforts undertaken last year and expressed his confidence that things look good in both houses of Congress and that there is a line of communication with the new administration that can bear many fruits in the future.

Striking a similar chord, PSEKA President Philip Christopher sought to reassure those who expressed uneasiness over President Obama and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s recent visit to Turkey. “I would like to believe that Joe Biden and Hilary Clinton as well as President Obama will not forget their pre-election promises to the overseas Greeks.”

Archbishop Demetrios of America addressing the delegates of the 28 organizations that took part in the convention spoke of the “paradox” of a country which is a member of the united Europe to be in a state of division due to occupation. “And superpowers like the US and Europe are completely powerless in imposing the fundamental human solutions.”

Besides the Cyprus issue, the agenda included reports on the activities of the member organizations and the report of CYCA (the Youth Division of the CFA).

The Cyprus Federation was founded in 1951 in New York City and currently consists of 25 chapter members located throughout the United States including the Tri-State area, Virginia, Ohio, Chicago, Washington, Florida and California. The Federation networks closely with the Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE), the International Coordinating Committee “Justice for Cyprus” (PSEKA), the American Hellenic Institute (AHI), the United Hellenic American Congress (UHAC), and the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York.

Maria Varianides, a long time member who has served the Cyprus Federation of America for over 40 years in many capacities, was the honoree at the convention, receiving a special award and an abundance of well-deserved praise for her commitment and multi-faceted work.