The Greek frigate Kimon is seen off the coast of Limassol, Cyprus, March 8, 2026. [AP]
Legislators of Greek heritage from around the world gathered on the island of Rhodes on Friday for the first “Eastern Mediterranean Energy, Maritime Security and Geopolitics Summit,” hosted by the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (PADEE-WHIA).
The summit, held under the auspices of the South Aegean Region as part of PADEE-WHIA’s 30th anniversary celebrations, brought together lawmakers, government officials, diplomats, academics and policy experts to discuss energy security, maritime challenges and geopolitical developments in the region.
Opening the event, Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Raptakis, president of PADEE-WHIA, said maritime disputes must be resolved through peaceful means.
“Disagreements over maritime boundaries should never be settled through coercion, military pressure or unilateral actions,” Raptakis said. “Instead, they should be resolved through diplomacy, negotiation or international adjudication.”
