NEW YORK – The Greek-American community is deeply concerned about recent strong pro-Turkish statements of the newly-elected Mayor of New York, Eric Adams, in the context of his interview with the Turkish news agency Anadolu, in which he went far beyond the limits of diplomatic communications.

In particular, Adams, who is a politician who has received the support of the Diaspora over the years, both during his tenure as Brooklyn Borough President and in the recent New York City mayoral race, began by declaring himself, “a friend of the Turks,” and acknowledging that “there is a large population of Turks living in Brooklyn, probably the largest in the whole country.”

Then, the newly-elected Mayor of New York expressed his intention to open up to Turkey’s business with two-way investments, both in New York and on the other side of the Atlantic.

“We will set up delegations that will include business executives, in order to examine how we can develop business in New York, but also in Turkey,” he said among other things.

Adams said he would promote travel to Turkey by young Americans, citing as attractive destinations areas such as Constantinople and Cappadocia, adding that “we will also bring young Turkish students here to enjoy the rich culture here as well.”

Ignoring issues such as the illegal Turkish occupation of Cyprus, the refugee crisis, and other provocations and actions that constitute thorns in Turkish-American relations, Adams said the Turks “have an excellent ability to preserve their historical heritage, as well as an exceptional modern city… This is the combination that makes you understand how Turkey has played a major role in shaping humanity and will continue to do so in the future,” concluded Adams, who stressed that he has visited Turkey six times to date.

Undoubtedly, these statements by Eric Adams will sound strange, to say the least, to the Greek-Americans who supported his election campaign politically and financially, while it is recalled that just a few days ago he went to meet Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, just a few hours after his election as mayor of New York.