A stunning setting in the colors of Asteroessa was set up yesterday at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, the venue chosen by the U.S. Ambassador to Athens, Kimberly Gilfoyle, to host her approximately 3,000 guests on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of American Independence.

At a historic moment for the American nation, Ms. Gilfoyle set the tone by organizing an outward-looking ceremony with legendary hospitality, featuring three different viewing areas, video screens, a rich musical program with a touch of country and R&B, as well as many interesting messages regarding the state of bilateral relations between Greece -the U.S., the White House’s priorities regarding Athens, and the air superiority that American F-35 aircraft provide to Greece.

The Guests

Among the guests were prominent figures from the country’s political, business, and academic communities, while the Greek government was represented by its Vice President, Kostis Hatzidakis, who delivered a welcoming address. In his remarks, Mr. Hatzidakis referred to Greek-American relations, stating that they are at their best, while praising Ms. Gilfoyle’s dynamism and determination in strengthening those relations, noting in particular that “you brought so much energy to Athens that some people thought you would be a candidate in the next national elections.”

Gillfoyle: “Greece has long been a part of American history”
For her part, the U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Gilfoyle spoke at length about the enduring historical, cultural, and social ties between the two countries, the ideals of American independence, the roots of which can be traced back to Athens, as well as the broader range of actions and initiatives by the U.S. administration aimed at further strengthening the bilateral framework.

As Ms. Gilfoyle noted, highlighting some of the recent joint Greek-U.S. initiatives, “at last year’s historic P-TEC ministerial meeting in Athens, a record-breaking 850 leaders from the public and private sectors gathered to turn strategy into action.” Furthermore, “we welcomed a critical 20-year, $4.5 billion trade agreement that will connect U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) suppliers in the United States with the region for decades to come. But we didn’t stop there. Just a few weeks ago, we doubled that amount to $10 billion. Because that’s what America does. We set high goals and achieve them.”

Ms. Gilfoyle also made sure to mention ExxonMobil’s expanding collaboration with Hellenic Energy and Energean in the Ionian Sea, along with the agreements between Chevron and Hellenic for offshore exploration, which “demonstrate what American leadership and Greek ambition can achieve together: the first offshore exploratory drilling in Greece in more than forty years.”

Shipping and Energy
The U.S. Ambassador to Athens also made special mention of the “economies of the future,” noting that through $125 million in financing from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, the Elefsina Shipyards have been transformed into a thriving industrial hub, while emphasizing that President Trump has made American dominance in the shipping and energy sectors cornerstones of our foreign policy, and that Greece is an extremely valuable partner in this vision. “Together, we are building an open and predictable investment environment that strengthens our economies, both now and in the future. And this is because our two nations know that when allies work together to build shared projects, our adversaries lose the means to exert pressure. “This is what a strategic partnership looks like: Greater energy resilience. More jobs. Greater security,” as Ms. Gilfoyle noted. She also referred to the U.S. presence in Alexandroupoli and Souda, although her remarks about U.S. fighter jets sparked particular enthusiasm.

Cheers for the F-35s
Specifically, the audience warmly welcomed her mention of the acquisition of F-35 fighter jets from the U.S., which represent the pinnacle of air combat capability today, on a global scale. “Soon, Greece will join an elite group of Allies that possess the most advanced multi-role fighter jet in the world: the F-35,” Ms. Gilfoyle emphasized, adding: “When Greece operates the F-35, it will fly the same aircraft used by the United States Air Force. This means greater interoperability. It means that when Greece operates alongside U.S. forces—or other NATO partners—there will be no gaps in the formation or shortfalls in operational capabilities. “This is the most advanced aircraft ever to fly in Greek airspace, and we will be proud to fly alongside you.”

It should be noted that the ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias, Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis, Minister of Education Sofia Zacharaki, Minister of Development Takis Theodorikakos, Mayor of Athens Haris Doukas, former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, “Elpida” Party Chair Maria Karystianou, Deputy Ministers Kostas Katsafados, Christos Dermetzopoulos, Tassos Hatzivassiliou, SYRIZA sector head Symeon Kedikoglou, and others.