To H.E. the Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken

To H.E. the Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken

State Department

Washington D.C.

USA

July 19, 2021

Your Excellency,

We the undersigned Hellenic International Association (IHA), Hellenic American National Council (HANC) and Canadian Hellenic Congress (CHC) represent Hellenic Organizations based in USA and Canada are working to safeguard the interests of Greece and to maintain and enhance excellent relations between the USA and Greece.

We read with great interest the Executive Order On Blocking Property And Suspending Entry Into The United States Of Certain Persons Contributing To The Destabilizing Situation In The Western Balkans dated June 8, 2021. As an initial remark, we consider the last phrase of the second paragraph stating that lack of progress towards effective and democratic government and full integration into transatlantic institutions constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to national security and foreign policy of the United States, as overstated.

We also noted that mention is made of the “Prespa Agreement” of 2018 that was signed between Athens and Skopje. Within this framework, we would like to keep the State Department informed of the continuous violations of that Agreement by Skopje thus creating serious problems with Athens to the detriment of stability in the area. The violations mentioned below are indicative, presumably the U.S.Embassy in Skopje, may have more information but at least it can confirm our information.

Two years have passed since the Prespes Agreement was signed between Athens and Skopje. Implementation of the dispositions of the Treaty by Skopje is almost nonexistent. The use of the name Macedonia, arbitrarily forced by Marshal Tito, continues to be widespread. All the athletic associations continue the use of the name Macedonia. The Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs had to make an official demarche to his counterpart on the use of the acronym MKD on the shirts of the national team during the euro soccer championship last week. The National Art Gallery continues to use Macedonia as well as the National Theater. State Television and Radio stations continues to call themselves as Macedonian.

Please see attached addendum where one can clearly see just few and indicative violations of the Prespa Agreement of the many made by the Government in Skopje. We have been monitoring the situation since the Prespa Agreement was signed and we are reporting that the Skopje government never abided by the Agreement. For all these reasons this agreement stands on shaky grounds as the citizens of both states and their diaspora are united in opposing it, each for their own reasons.

Please accept Mr. Secretary of State, the assurances of our highest consideration.

Sincerely,

Captain Evagelos Rigos, President of the International Hellenic Association

Mr. Vasilios Mataragas, President of the Hellenic American National Council

Dr. Theodore Halatsis, President of the Canadian Hellenic Congress

ADDENDUM