The new US Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, gave her first interview on Greek television on ANT1. Speaking with the Acropolis as her backdrop, the American diplomat thanked Greece for the warm welcome, stating that she feels as though she has been in the country for three months and that it already feels like home.
“We have achieved so much in just a few days,” she emphasized, referring to the recent energy agreements signed at the Zappeion. She noted that the US government looks forward to deepening cooperation between the two countries.
Guilfoyle: Greece as an energy hub
Ambassador Guilfoyle stressed that “Greece will become an energy hub,” explaining this is the key reason President Donald Trump selected her as Ambassador to the country.
“We want to show that Greece can become the energy hub that will help us resist Russian and Chinese interests. What we are seeking is energy independence, which will assist in national defense and national security,” she added.
She highlighted the significant opportunities for US-Greece collaboration:
Energy Sector: “We signed so many agreements on energy. On the Vertical Corridor, with Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), and the US will be the supplier of it.”
Trade: “In the trade sector, as we recently saw with the P-TEC Conference, with a multitude of agreements and Memorandums of Cooperation signed.”
“There is huge enthusiasm. The Prime Minister is very excited about the relationship and what we have achieved. The ministers I am working with and met months before arriving, we managed to achieve very significant results that surprised many people. Because we achieved so much in only a few days,” she noted.
Energy independence and security
When asked about the drilling in the Ionian Sea, she reiterated her focus on energy strategy:
“As I said, America is back, and that is thanks to President Trump, who sent me here to Greece. He chose me to come to Greece because of the extremely important role Greece plays in the region. And what we see, for the future of Greece and the US, is Greece emerging as an energy hub… It is very important to have energy independence and to resist Russian and Chinese interests. This will bring regional stability to the entire region, which benefits both of our countries. Energy independence directly equates to national security and sovereignty.”
Addressing Chinese influence in Piraeus
Regarding investments and China’s access to Europe via the port of Piraeus, Guilfoyle commented:
“It is very important to have many interested parties in infrastructure, to create American infrastructure here to support the region, perhaps improve the capabilities of other ports and areas, to offset the Chinese influence through the port of Piraeus.”
“There are ways to manage it, to find a solution. By seeking to increase capabilities in other regions, and perhaps one day [Piraeus] will be up for sale,” she stated, confirming it is something the US is considering.
She noted the immediate focus is on American LNG: “What we saw now is the emphasis on US Liquefied Natural Gas. It will be transported north through the Vertical Corridor. Ukraine and Romania signed. We are looking for more countries. I will be dealing with this in the coming days and weeks. And this is in direct agreement with the Minister of Energy, Mr. Stavros Papastavrou, and with the Prime Minister, Mr. Mitsotakis.”
F-35 sales to Turkey
Citing US law, the Ambassador stressed that the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey cannot proceed at this time. “We certainly don’t know what might happen in the future. But for now, it’s not even a discussion, due to the relevant legislation,” she clarified.
Impressions of Prime Minister Mitsotakis
Regarding her first impressions of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Ambassador noted: “I think I’ve already had four meetings with him. I’ve seen him quite a bit, we’ve had a lot of work. I like him very much. And I like his wife, Mareva, very much. They are wonderful. Very good people. They work hard. They are smart and talented. They love the country and showed immediate and sincere interest in working with me to have a highly productive period during my tenure here as ambassador.”
Finally, she expressed her hope that Donald Trump will visit Greece and pose for a picture at the Acropolis. “We would all want that, wouldn’t we?” she remarked, adding, “I will ask him.”
