June 18, 2008 – Washington – AJC and the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) celebrated the signing of a new association agreement in Washington, DC.

“We are so pleased to enter into this new partnership because we believe AJC is the most serious major Jewish organization,” said Alexander Mashkevich, president of EAJC. “By working together with an organization that is so thoughtful and professional, and that puts its heart into our common cause, we can accomplish so much for the Jewish people and the larger world.”

The two organizations have agreed to pursue joint projects to enhance Jewish well-being and strengthen Jewish advocacy in the public arena.

“This friendship continues AJC’s long record of active involvement in the well-being of Jewish communities in the former Soviet Union,” said AJC Executive Director David A. Harris.

“Guided by the vision of Alexander Mashkevich, Secretary-General Mikhail Chlenov, and General Council Chairman Josef Zissels, EAJC has become a leading voice for Jewish communities,” said Harris. “We are proud to partner with them to further strengthen our ties in this region of ever-increasing importance.”

Three ambassadors to the United States from countries in the EAJC’s region of focus – Ambassador of Georgia Vasil Sikharulidze, Ambassador of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov, and Ambassador of Ukraine Oleh Shamshur – joined dozens of AJC leaders at a ceremony last night at AJC’s Washington office 

The association agreement with EAJC is AJC’s twenty-eighth such partnership with a Jewish communal institution around the world.