Kimberly Guilfoyle, US ambassador to Greece arrives at the Atlantic Council conference, in Athens, Nov 6. [AP]
The new US ambassador to Athens said Washington sees Greece as a rising energy hub crucial to countering Russian and Chinese influence, emphasizing that President Donald Trump sent her to deepen strategic cooperation in the region.
“President Trump sent me here to Greece, chose me to go to Greece because of the importance Greece has in this region,” Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle said in an interview with Antenna TV late Thursday.
“What we see for the future of Greece and the United States is Greece being an energy hub and showing this energy dominance that both of our countries can experience and work together cooperatively to achieve tremendous outcomes,” she said, referring to the recent Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC) meeting in Athens.
‘It really is so important to have this energy independence, to push back against Russian and Chinese interests’
“It really is so important to have this energy independence, to push back against Russian and Chinese interests,” she said. “That brings regional stability… that benefits both of our countries,” she added.
“Energy independence equates directly to national security and sovereignty.”
Piraeus Port
Guilfoyle also voiced regret that China’s state-owned shipping group Cosco gained control of Greece’s main port of Piraeus in 2016, suggesting that Beijing’s influence could potentially be balanced by increased American investment in other infrastructure projects.
“I think it’s very important… to have American infrastructure here to help support the region. To perhaps, in fact, enhance output from other ports and areas to balance against the Chinese influence with the port of Piraeus,” the ambassador said, noting that the port came under Cosco’s control during a period of economic turmoil when Greece lacked stability.
“It is unfortunate, but I think there’s ways around it, that something could be worked out, whether you pursue a path of enhancing output in other areas or perhaps that Piraeus could be for sale,” she said.
Turkey
Asked whether the United States will continue to support Greece’s energy exploration, including off the southern island of Crete, in the face of Turkish objections to Greek sovereignty, the ambassador did not directly answer. But she emphasized the strength of the bilateral alliance, saying it “is going to continue.”
“We have a phenomenal relationship. We have been very strong allies and that is going to continue. With my presence here, being selected here by President Trump, putting me here in Athens says volumes about how he feels about Greece, what we want to do working together,” she said, without ruling out a visit by Trump to the Greek capital.
“Well of course we would all love that, wouldn’t we? Have [Trump] give a speech at the Acropolis. I hope he will come, I’ll ask him to come. He’s so hard working, he works non stop,” she said.
‘Well of course we would all love that, wouldn’t we? Have Trump give a speech at the Acropolis. I hope he will come, I’ll ask him to come’
Asked about the possibility of the United States selling advanced F-35 fighter jets to NATO ally Turkey, Guilfoyle noted that Ankara remains barred from the program but expressed uncertainty about how matters could evolve.
“Right now this is prohibited by legislation… What can happen in the future we don’t know. But right now that’s something that’s not even something that is being considered because of the legislation.”
This story has been updated.
