Greek-U.S. cooperation is deeply rooted in history, said U.S. Ambassador Kimberly Gilfoil at the reception marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence Day, held at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, in the presence of numerous representatives of political and business leadership.
The U.S. Ambassador to Greece emphasized the strategic importance of bilateral relations between Greeceand the U.S., making special mention of cooperation in the fields of energy, defense, and investment. She also referred to Greece’s acquisition of F-35 fighter jets, emphasizing that it strengthens the country’s deterrent capability within NATO.
“America is a nation of innovators, a nation of creators, people who dream boldly, work tirelessly, and turn hope into reality,” he said.
“On July 4, 1776, a group of visionaries, inspired by ideas born right here in Athens, dared to chart a new course for themselves and their descendants,” said the U.S. ambassador, adding that with the Declaration of Independence, America’s founders boldly announced to the world that they would be the architects of their own destiny.
“The odds were against them, but they did not give in,” she emphasized. “They fought for a future based on the principles of self-government, freedom, and the inalienable rights of the individual. And their success is our legacy.”
“Two and a half centuries later, our democracy continues to be sustained by citizens who understand that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are not merely words on a piece of paper, but sacred, inalienable rights that every generation is called upon to defend,” he emphasized.
As she noted, when the U.S. president asked her to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Greece—and to become the first woman in history to assume that role—it was the greatest honor of her life.
“Greece has always been part of America’s history,” she emphasized, adding that it is part of it today as well, “in the historic work we are doing together to build a safer, stronger, and more prosperous future. This future, I can proudly say, will be fueled by American energy.”
He referred to the agreements signed at last year’s P-TEC ministerial meeting in Athens, as well as to ExxonMobil’s expanding cooperation with Hellenic Energy and Energean in the Ionian Sea, along with the offshore exploration agreements between Chevron and Hellenic Energy, which “demonstrate what American leadership and Greek ambition can achieve together — the first offshore exploratory drilling in Greece in over forty years.”
He also noted that, thanks to U.S. funding, the Elefsina Shipyards have evolved into a thriving industrial asset, created high-quality jobs for Greek workers, and strengthened critical maritime capabilities.
“President Trump has made American leadership in the shipping and energy sectors cornerstones of our foreign policy, and Greece is an extremely valuable partner in this vision,” he said.
“Together, we are building an open and predictable investment climate that strengthens our economies, both today and in the future. This is because our two countries know that when allies build together, our adversaries lose their influence.”
“This is what a strategic partnership looks like: greater energy resilience, more jobs, greater security—and security begins with readiness—with allies who plan together, train together, and stand united when it matters most.”
He referred to Souda Bay, where U.S. and Greek forces work closely together, and to Alexandroupoli, which has become a strategic gateway and a vital logistics hub for NATO.
“Together, the U.S. and Greece are expanding defense cooperation, strengthening our industrial bases, and proving once again that peace can only be preserved through strength,” he noted.
He emphasized that Greece has responded to America’s call for a fairer distribution of burdens within NATO, by making historic investments in defense and pursuing the most extensive modernization of the Hellenic Armed Forces in recent decades.
“The United States is proud to be working with Greece to ensure that the Armed Forces have the best defense systems the U.S. has to offer,” he noted. “This is not just about procurement decisions; it is about a transformation that will shape an entire generation.”
He reminded the audience that Greece will soon join an elite group of allies equipped with the world’s most advanced multi-role fighter jets, the F-35.
“When Greece flies the F-35, it will be flying the same aircraft as the U.S. Air Force. This means greater interoperability; it means that when Greece operates alongside U.S. forces—or alongside other NATO partners—there will be no discontinuity in configuration, no gap in capabilities.”
He added that the strength of our bilateral relations is most clearly reflected in the enduring bonds that unite our peoples, in the American students who help make Greece one of the world’s top study destinations, in the Greek students who turn to the U.S. in search of academic excellence and opportunities, in the more than 1.5 million Americans who visit Greece each year, and in the tens of thousands who live here.
“It lives on in our shared commitment to protect our cultural heritage, preserve our history, and honor a culture that has shaped the world,” he said, emphasizing:
“Above all, it lives on in the remarkable Greek diaspora in the U.S.—a community of faith, family, service, and achievement — as well as in the spiritual example of the Greek Orthodox Church, which continues to remind the world that freedom is not only a right we must defend, but also a calling to serve a purpose greater than ourselves.”
Greek-U.S. cooperation “is rooted in our shared values of freedom, faith, and democracy and is based on a shared responsibility to build a future worthy of the sacrifices, dreams, and ideals that have brought our nations this far.”
“Under President Trump, America is back,” the U.S. ambassador emphasized. “We have returned to our roots as innovators, creators, and pioneers. […] And we are doing this together with friends like Greece—reliable partners who share our values, strengthen our security, and stand by our side to shape a freer, stronger, and more prosperous future.”
“This year, as we celebrate American Independence, we reflect on 250 years of incredible history,” he noted.
As President Trump said: “This anniversary is an opportunity to take pride in our past, but it is also an opportunity to look ahead, to broaden our ambitions, and to raise our expectations for what America can become. We will leave our children nothing less than the richest legacy, the most advanced civilization, and the highest standard of living in the history of humanity. There has never been anything like it, but, nevertheless, the best is yet to come.”
He concluded: “May the United States continue to be a beacon of freedom; may our partnership with Greece continue to grow stronger and take on greater purpose; and may the promise of freedom endure for generations to come.”
SOURCE: APE