LOS ANGELES, CA - 7/16/2010

Several members of the US House of Representatives met on July 14, 2010 with Ambassador of Greece to the US Vassilis Kaskarelis.

During the one-hour meeting, the Greek Ambassador briefed members of Congress on the steps the Greek government has taken to address the financial crisis, combat the deficit and implement long-lasting structural economic reforms. He also made reference to the anti-speculation measures implemented in the European financial markets by the European Commission and other bodies of the EU.

The Congressmen and Congresswomen present were particularly interested in the social reaction to the economic measures and how they affect domestic public opinion. The attendees also admitted that the US media is at times exaggerating the social unrest in the country, resulting in an unjustified bad image for Greece in US Congress and among the American Public.

The meeting was attended by the following Members of the House of Representatives: Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Member, House Foreign Affairs Committee, Elton Gallegly (R-CA), Ranking Member, House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Europe Subcommittee, Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Chairman, House International Monetary Policy & Trade Subcommittee / House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ed Royce (R-CA), Ranking Member, House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Trade Subcommittee / House Financial Services Committee, Eliot Engel (D-NY), Chairman, House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Europe Subc. / Co-Chair, Hellenic Caucus, Michael McMahon (D-NY), House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Europe Subcommittee, Ted Poe (R-TX), House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Europe Subcommittee, Steve Israel (D-NY), House Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, John Sarbanes (D-MD), Zack Space (D-OH), Niki Tsongas (D-MA), Chris Carney (D-PA), John Tierney (D-MA), Rush Holt (D-NJ).

Ms. Ros-Lehtinen stated: “Since last year, Greece has faced many daunting fiscal challenges.  Their leaders are making the difficult decisions necessary to rise above the current situation. The IMF now projects that Greece’s deficit will drop from 13.6% to 8% of GDP by the end of 2010, a 5-percentage point reduction in just one year. This promising turnaround is a direct result of decisive action by the Greek Government to cut spending and reduce the enormous deficit. I am pleased that Ambassador Kaskarelis is joining Members of the House today to discuss the bold actions taken by his nation to set a course for a sustainable and vibrant economic recovery.”