Copyright thenationalherald
ATHENS – With glitz and glamour and media coverage befitting a celebrity – her luxurious taste in clothes precedes her – the new U.S. Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle swept into Greece but quickly turned to serious matters between the countries. The former Fox TV news host, lawyer, ex-wife of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and former partner of Donald Trump, Jr. attended a nightclub performance and an event honoring the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps. It was a another departure from having a career diplomat – although she succeeds entrepreneur Greek-American George Tsunis – and Guilfoyle reveled in the moment, appearing radiant and smiling before the photographers, wearing a long black gown with rhinestones and greeting the guests gathered outside the hotel. “Hello, Greece,” she wrote in Greek, marking her arrival in the country. In a post on X, she expressed her honor to be in Athens, noting that Greece and the United States share an unbreakable bond. “Together, we will strengthen our alliance and elevate it to new heights,” Guilfoyle wrote. ‘Γεια σας, Ελλάδα!’ Hello, Greece! What an incredible honor to arrive in Athens today – my first day serving as U.S. Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic. The United States and Greece share an unbreakable bond. Together, we will strengthen this alliance and elevate our partnership… pic.twitter.com/mK9fFJMuHA,” she said. She presented her credentials to President Konstantinos Tasoulas and met with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis after the revelry. Her arrival came as the United States works to boost liquefied natural gas exports to eastern Europe through Greek port facilities. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum were in Athens for talks focused on expanding Western gas exports to war-torn Ukraine through a modified multinational pipeline network, and Guilfoyle talked about strengthening U.S. and Greek energy relations and Greece buying liquefied natural gas (LNG) from America. Since 2018, Greece and the United States have strengthened military ties, including expanding U.S. access to Greek bases and increased involvement of American defense contractors in Greece’s multibillion-dollar armed forces modernization program. Guilfoyle attended a black-tie welcome reception over the weekend where she was joined by local business leaders and several Cabinet members, and took part in a lively Greek dance – linking arms with other guests and keeping pace as the music sped up. “I know we will do amazing things for these two exceptional countries,” she told attendees. “I will not disappoint the United States of America. I shall not disappoint Greece.” In receiving Guilfoyle at the Maximos Mansion, Mitsotakis said: “We are very happy to welcome you and you are coming at a time when Greek-American relations are at a historic high, without this meaning that we cannot improve them further.” In a brief discussion in front of the cameras, the prime minister emphasized that there is a broad agenda of issues to be discussed for the deepening of bilateral cooperation. He also noted that Greece is a pillar of regional stability and a traditional ally of the U.S. and plays a very important role as a factor of stability in all regional conflicts, including those in the Middle East. “A country that speaks on an equal basis with the U.S. in relation to energy and particularly on liquefied natural gas in the region, we will also have a very important initiative that coincides with your arrival,” he said, referring to an energy conference later.’ “Greece is the entry point for liquefied natural gas throughout the region. The vertical corridor is also a project of strategic importance for Greece and the U.S. and we look forward to developing it further,” he added. He said there were many issues on which there will be cooperation so that more U.S. investments will come to Greece, especially through large technology companies. Guilfoyle said that it was an honor and privilege for her to be in the cradle of democracy, in Athens, and that she will be here for the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of American Independence. She also referred to the important attendees at the summit that was hosted in Athens November 6 and 7, the 6th Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC), which is taking place at the Zappeion. The event is a milestone for the 3+1 initiative, the trilateral cooperation framework that brings together Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and the U.S. She pointed out that attendee U.S. Secretary of the Interior will be in Greece for the second time in just a few months and underlined the presence of many ministers, deputy ministers and other officials as an indication of the importance given to this political and economic milestone for the promotion of trade and energy. Welcome – Let’s Talk The Executive Committee of Democrats Abroad Greece (DAGR) published an open letter to Guilfoyle about the concerns of American citizens resident in Greece about the policies of the Trump Administration. The group urged Guilfoyle to be “a welcome counterweight to the news reaching Greeks from the U.S. these days. The potential losses facing Greek producers from new tariffs, the impacts of trade wars on Greek shipping, the assaults on international law and institutions, and the mistreatment of foreign visitors to America, are all issues of concern to your Greek hosts and the Greek public.” The Executive Committee also called upon the Ambassador to help protect the voting rights of U.S. citizens abroad, including the tens of thousands of Americans residing in Greece. (Material from the Associated Press was used in this report)
