Andrew A. Athens, President of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) attends the works of the 14th World Convention of POMAK and PSEKA that is organized in Cyprus on August 23-26, 2005.  
At his greeting during the opening of the Convention in Nicosia made by the President of the Cypriot Republic, Tassos Papadopoulos, Mr. Athens conveyed the οΏ½great and solid support of all Hellenes AbroadοΏ½, who as he stated have stood by the Cypriot people and will continue to do so with all their power and faith. Mr. Athens stated that the 14th World Convention of Cypriots Abroad emphasizes the sense of unity and dedication as well as the close cooperation among SAE, POMAK and PSEKA, even though it is marked by the loss of so many innocent souls at the recent air tragedy.
 SAE President, also National Chairman of the United Hellenic American Congress (UHAC), referred to the continuous struggles since the invasion of 1974 in order to be able to have a just and viable solution of the Cyprus problem that will lead to a united and free Cyprus, stressing the fact that οΏ½for every step that we have taken forward, there have been setbacks that have slowed our progressοΏ½.
Mr. Athens mentioned the need to let οΏ½knowledgeable, dedicated, well-connected Hellenes to lead us in that center of global powerοΏ½, since οΏ½the experiment of assigning the lobbying effort to non-Hellenes has produced no results. In fact, it has lowered our effectiveness even within Congress where we have traditionally enjoyed steady support.οΏ½ 

οΏ½Internationally, we have experienced many signs of progress supported by those who recognize the righteousness of our cause, both in the European Union and in Washington. In the EU, we have experienced some progress and we are waiting for the time when all the promises -- stated and implied -- of belonging to that European political body are fulfilled. Then we will see that peace and stability can blossom in the regionοΏ½, Mr. Athens said.