Greece and Italy sign agreement for delimitation of maritime zones

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Greece and Italy sign agreement for delimitation of maritime zones
June 10, 2020 American Hellenic Announcements, Greek Government, News

June 10, 2020

Greece and Italy sign agreement for delimitation of maritime zones

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias, and his Italian counterpart, Luigi Di Maio, signed a historic agreement on the delimitation of the maritime zones between Greece and Italy in Athens, on Tuesday, June 9, 2020. Read their statements here.

“Τogether we have made Greece bigger,” Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias stated on Wednesday in an interview with SKAI TV, referring to the agreement for the delimitation of the maritime zones between Greece and Italy signed on Tuesday. Read more here.

All islands have the same rights as continental territory, as established by the International Law of the Sea, US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt told the Delphi Economic Forum, conducted online, on Wednesday. Pyatt also noted that the memorandum signed between Turkey and Libya cannot remove anything from Greece and was, additionally, unhelpful and provocative. On the other hand, he called the Greek-Italian agreement signed on Tuesday over maritime zone delineation in the Ionian Sea “the right way to do things, inclusive of all parties”. Read more here.

What is the significance of the maritime zone delimitation agreement between Greece and Italy?

The importance of the agreement was highlighted by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in a statement yesterday in which he stressed: “This is a good day for Greece, Italy, Europe and the entire Mediterranean. Athens and Rome have delimited the Exclusive Economic Zones in the waters that connect the two neighboring countries, thus removing, in a constructive way, a 40-year pending issue. The agreement is in full compliance with the rules of international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.  The agreement describes the extent of the maritime zones that can be exploited. Furthermore, the agreement recognizes sovereign rights in all land areas both in the mainland and the islands. It is a model of cooperation and good neighborly relations.

It is also a decisive contribution to peace and stability in our region. Greece and Italy have shown how two neighbors can transform the sea around them into calm waters of progress and development. I hope that similar agreements will be reached in the region, among other countries as well. «In his statement after the signing of the agreement, the Minister Nikos Dendias underlined that: «The constant pursuit of our country remains to determine maritime zones with all our neighbors, within the framework of international law. To this end, the United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea provides all necessary instruments. Indeed, the United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea in general consolidates customary International law, yet neither selectively, nor arbitrarily as certain nations are attempting to make use of it. The delimitation of maritime zones can be reached in accordance with International Law, with valid agreements. Not with agreements that are non-existent”.

What exactly were the agreements signed on Tuesday, June 9, between Greece and Italy?

The major and most significant agreement is regarding the delimitation of maritime zones between the two states. This is the first agreement signed by our country in regards to EEZ and has been concluded in accordance with UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea). Therefore, the Agreement confirms the right of the islands to maritime zones. It also confirms the median line of the 1977 agreement on the delimitation of the continental shelf between Greece and Italy as a borderline between the Greek-Italian EEZ.  Consequently, that median line will also apply to the superjacent waters of the continental shelf. This is an extremely important agreement, a development of historical significance for our country.
– A Joint Declaration of Greece and Italy on the Resources of the Mediterranean was also signed. With this declaration, the two states express their commitment to a balanced and sustainable management of these resources and agree to hold consultations to assess the impact of various factors on the existing practices of fishermen of the two states. (Sustainable management).

-Finally, a Joint Notification was signed, addressed to the European Commission, requesting the amendment of  the regulation on common fisheries policy so that, when Greece decides to expand its maritime zone to 12 nm, the existing fishing activity of Italian fishermen in the area between 6 and 12 n.m., which is now within international waters, will be maintained. What is of paramount importance is the reference, within the Agreement, of the right to expand everywhere our territorial sea. The existing fishing rights of Italian fishermen are described restrictively, both in terms of the number of vessels and the species  they can fish, which are excluded from the species Greek fishermen can fish.

American Hellenic

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Dr James & Virginia Kallins

Dr. James and Virginia Kallins

Longtime stewards and servants of the Greek Community and Hellenism, Doctor James and Virginia Kallins have never forgotten their roots and an appreciation of blessings.

Doctor Kallins was the youngest of five children. He grew up on a small farm in the mountains of Arcadia in Greece, surviving multiple occupations during World War II. Seeing his village’s doctor caring for so many ill and injured inspired Doctor Kallins to study medicine at the University of Athens.

Hoping to become a surgeon, James then sailed to the USA and settled in Chicago, training in OB/GYN, surgery, and pathology at the University of Illinois School of Medicine, where he also served as an associate professor.

At a Greek Orthodox Church party, Dr. Kallins met his beloved wife, Virginia, nee Evgenia Lambropoulou, whom he married in 1957. Growing up in Chicago during the Great Depression, Virginia had lost her father and her older brother. Her mother spoke only Greek and supported herself and Virginia by knocking on doors, holding up a needle and thread to let people know she could sew. Fortunately, Virginia’s mother met and married Nicholas Mannos, loving stepfather to Virginia. Virginia’s mother encouraged her education, spurring her to become a Master Teacher mentoring others.

Dr. Kallins and his wife moved to California in 1959 where he launched his own medical practice. James encouraged his family to preserve their Greek culture, and honor charitable organizations in both the United States and Greece, which he fondly calls his “two countries and two mothers.” James and Virginia became the parents of three children (Barbara, George, and Nicholas) and now have five grandchildren (Anastasia, Evgenia, Dimitri, Nicholas and Eston).

Doctor Kallins retired from medicine in 1997, and continued the couple’s charitable initiatives, including serving as stewards for St. Sophia Cathedral in Los Angeles, Assumption in Long Beach, and as co-founders of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Downey, named after Dr. Kallins’ father George Kallinteris.

Doctor Kallins was a member of the Cathedral’s Parish Council and a founder of the Hellenic Medical and Dental Society. He also founded the Alpha Beta Society – the Greek School – in Downey, and supported the Hellenic Library in Bellflower, California. Virginia worked closely with parents at St. Sophia Cathedral to reenergize the Greek Orthodox Youth of America.

When Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974, Dr. Kallins joined the Save Cyprus Council, flying to DC to advocate for safety and justice for Hellenes in Cyprus and Greece.

The tragic and untimely passing of the couple’s son, Nicholas, was a time of great sadness. However, James and Virginia used that difficult time as an opportunity to honor Nicholas’ life by establishing the Greek Orthodox Memorial and Cultural Foundation of Southern California, and the Saint Nicholas Chapel at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, California.

The philanthropy of James and Virginia Kallins extended to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco, the Archdiocese, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. As an Archon Exarchos in the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Doctor Kallins served as the Regional Archon Commander. He has been a member of the Metropolis and Archdiocesan Councils and served with the Pan Arcadian Federation on a local and national level. He was elected as Supreme President of the Pan-Arcadian Federation, helping to raise funds for a hospital in Tripoli, Greece. The couple was honored with the Metropolitan Anthony Humanitarian Award at the FDF Festival in 2013.

The American Hellenic Council takes great pleasure in honoring Doctor James and Virginia Kallins with the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award. Doctor James Kallins and Virginia Kallins, thank you for your unwavering love and support of humanity and Hellenism, and for the promotion and preservation of our Greek culture and community in America.

Arianna Papalexopoulos

Yes, Hello, Hi! Arianna Papalexopoulos is a Greek-American actor, writer, producer, and comic based in Los Angeles, California. Both Arianna's undergraduate theatre degree from UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television and masters degree in Digital Media from USC Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism have synergized to expand her lifelong comedy skills into rewarding content.

Arianna has produced and starred in numerous short films that have premiered at various festivals around the globe. Her latest short films, Como, Ti Amo and Greek Enough display the tradition of excellence in filmmaking. Building on this success, she produced and acted in her first feature film, Jaunt, which took home the Audience Award at the 2024 Los Angeles Greek Film Festival.

Arianna is currently fresh off a Canadian, Midwest, and Florida stand up comedy tour where she opened for fellow Greek comic, Angelo Tsarouchas. In addition, she performed her comedy set and hosted the 18th Annual Los Angeles Greek Film Festival Orpheus Awards. Arianna recently received the Greek America's Forty Under 40 award in New York City and was also selected as a “Modern Muse” speaker at the

Hellenic American Women's Council in Los Angeles, which celebrated Contemporary Hellenic American Women in the Arts.

Arianna's popular digital content celebrates both her roots and the experiences of American immigrants and their first-generation children. Arianna’s most notable character, Greek Mom, has garnered her almost 1 million followers collectively across all her social media platforms and continues to generate dozens of millions of views.

Apart from performing, you can find Arianna on the islands or mountains of Greece, cheering on the Golden State Warriors, or getting lost off the 101 Freeway.

Instagram & TikTok: @ariannapapalexopoulos

Hon. Ambassador of USA in Greece, George Tsunis

Hon. Ambassador of USA in Greece, George Tsunis

Mr. George J. Tsunis was the United States Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic for 3 years. During is successful term, Greek officials/partners speedily approved American requests critical for U.S. and NATO operations in Greece. With the signing of a $3.54 billion agreement for 20 American F-35 fighters, Greece was able to modernize its military. Following multiple collaborations with governments in Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Greece became a leader promoting energy connectivity and resiliency in the EU. Mr. Tusnis efforts promoted the Greek Prime Minister’s almost two-year political rappochement with Turkey, enhancing peace and stability in the region. Mr. Tsunis was awarded the Order of Phoenix by the Foreign Minister to The Hellenic Republic, George Gerapetritis during his three-year tenure as Ambassador.

Mr. Tsunis is the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chartwell Hotels as well as an attorney, developer, philanthropist and public policy advisor with a strong interest at the intersection of economic and foreign affairs. Chartwell Hotels owns and manages Hilton, Marriott and InterContinental Hotels Group franchises across the Northeast and Middle Atlantic states. The firm also focuses community renewal, supporting tourism, business travel and investment dollars.

Mr. Tsunis’ public service includes time as a Legislative Attorney at the New York City Council, Special Counsel to the Town of Huntington (NY) Environmental Open Space Committee and Counsel to the Dix Hills (NY) Water District. He was appointed by Senator Alfonse D’Amato and served as an advisor to the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Mr. Tsunis served in the cabinet of the Governor of the State of New York and served on the Board of Directors of four New York State Public Benefit Cooperations.

Mr. Tsunis was a director of the New York Convention Center’s (Jacob Javits Center) Operating Committee and Director of the New York Convention Center’s Development Committee. Mr. Tsunis’ tenure as director came at a seminal time – during a 1.5 million sq. ft. expansion – transforming Javits into one of the world’s most modern and beautiful convention centers.

In 2021, His Eminence Elpidophoros, Archbishop of America, appointed Mr. Tsunis as the Vice-Chairman of the national coordinating committee for the 200th anniversary of the Greek revolution of 1821, organizing nationwide festivities and commemorative events to be held throughout the year to honor the revolution’s bicentennial. Mr. Tsunis was a founding trustee of the Hellenic Initiative, a global movement of the Greek diaspora, investing in the future of Greece through direct philanthropy and economic revitalization. The Hellenic Initiative empowers people to provide crisis relief, encourage entrepreneurs and create jobs. Mr. Tsunis was also a founding member of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, a national civic advocacy organization, and until recently served as the organization’s National Vice Chairman. HALC comprises a national network of Greek American community leaders to encourage an active form of citizenship committed to the Hellenic American ideals of democracy, rule of law, and philanthropy. Mr. Tsunis has also served on the Board of Directors of the Coordinated Efforts of Hellenes (CEH), a national umbrella organization for the major Greek-American advocacy organizations.

Mr. Tsunis was recognized by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios with the Saint Paul’s Medal, the Greek Orthodox Church of America’s highest recognition for a layperson. Mr. Tsunis is a member of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the highest ecclesiastical honor that can be bestowed upon a layman by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

Mr. Tsunis was the recipient of the Cyprus Federation’s Justice for Cyprus Award, which was personally awarded to him by the President of Cyprus, Demetris Christofias, in 2010. In 2012, President Christofias presented Mr. Tsunis with a plaque of sterling silver olive branches, signifying peace. This award is traditionally reserved for heads of state. In 2013, the new President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, similarly honored Mr. Tsunis for his philanthropic efforts on behalf of the children of Cyprus.

In 2017, Mr. Tsunis was the recipient of the Athens-Wishner Award jointly presented by the American Jewish Committee (“AJC”) and Hellenic American Leadership Council (“HALC”) for his dedication to Greco-Israeli-Cypriot relations.

Mr. Tsunis received his Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law. Mr. Tsunis established the James and Eleni Tsunis Endowed Distinguished Academic Scholarship at Hofstra University, the George J. Tsunis Scholarship at the Maurice Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, the James George Tsunis Memorial Scholarship at Pennsylvania College of Technology and the George James Tsunis ’92 and the Karloutsos Scholarships at St. John’s University’s School of Law and created the James and Eleni Tsunis Endowed Scholarship at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Mr. Tsunis also underwrote the James and Eleni Tsunis Library at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons in honor of his parents. In 2019, the Hellenic Lawyers Association of New York named Mr. Tsunis as its honoree for his dedication to professional development in the Hellenic community.

Mr. Tsunis and his wife, Olga live in Matinecock, NY, with their three children. It is a great honor for the American Hellenic Council to welcome Ambassador Tsunis to Los Angeles and our Annual Gala and award him the AHC Aristeion Award.

Christos Vassilopoulos

Christos Vasilopoulos was born and raised in Athens, Greece. He started acting at the age of 17 as a stage actor and graduated from the "Iasmos" Athens Drama School. Christos was one of the few young actors who worked professionally during his drama school years.
Two years after his graduation, he became a member of the National Theatre of Greece, where he performed for four years. After seven years of continuous work in theatre and TV commercials, Christos landed a series of regular roles on one of the biggest daily shows of that time, taking his career to the next level.

During the first 14 years of his career, having worked on major TV shows and collaborated with some of the most renowned theatre directors in Greece, he decided to transition to the United States. His credits in the U.S. include films, campaigns, commercials, recurring roles on the hit shows Banshee (created by Alan Ball) and The Last Ship, as well as guest-star roles on The Closer, Blindspot, Whiskey Cavalier, Warrior, and Kabul.

Christos holds a 3rd dan black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He served in the Greek Special Forces as a marine and attained the rank of sergeant. He rarely uses a stunt double.

Alongside his fellow actor and friend Yorgos Karamichos, Christos translated Ivana Chubbuck’s The Power of the Actor into Greek—one of the most influential books on modern acting techniques. He is also the only Greek-certified acting coach trained by Ivana Chubbuck.

For the past five years, Christos has been working as a creative producer on films and TV shows.