US Ambassador compares Northern Greece’s growth potential to Silicon Valley

The relationship between Greece and the United States is "bolder, stronger than it has ever been before", US Ambassador to Athens Kimberly Guilfoyle said in wide-ranging interview to Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA) and journalist Sofia Papadopoulou, on the occasion of her recent presence in Thessaloniki.

"Greece s a very steadfast and reliable ally to the United States," she underlined, in which Washington "is very interested and eager" to invest in from a governmental and private capacity as well.

The US ambassador outlined the scope and prospects of American investment, defense agreements, and energy diplomacy toward Russia and China, while also discussing the bonds of faith and humanitarian values that unite the two peoples, on the occasion of her recent visit to the Holy Convent of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Ormylia, Chalkidiki peninsula, and its 'Panagia i Filanthropini' Medical Center, CE Report quotes ANA-MPA.

In addition, referring to the prospects of Thessaloniki and the wider area of northern Greece, she did not hesitate to draw a comparison in its dynamic with those of the greatest technological centers of the world, like Silicon Vally "at its thriving height".

Greece takes center stage in region's energy future; Vertical Corridor

Energy remains at the core of the American strategy, with Ambassador Guilfoyle pointing out that Greece now has the ability to play a leading role in shaping the region’s energy future. She also made particular mention of developments surrounding the Vertical Corridor, crediting the Greek government with a significant share of the progress. She stressed the importance of expanding cooperation with Serbia and North Macedonia through the memorandum signed several days ago in Thessaloniki at the 10th Southeast Energy Forum, which she also attended.

Specifically regarding the expansion of the Vertical Corridor, Guilfoyle said, "Greece, the United States feel the same way, all of these countries matter in terms of working together in energy cooperation."

At the same time, she highlighted Greece's transition into a role as an energy supplier to the wider region, pointing to exploration by Chevron, Hellenic, and ExxonMobil, as well as oil exploration in Crete for the first time in 40 years.

Guilfoyle placed northern Greece at the center of these developments, noting that Alexandroupoli has critical infrastructure and significant potential for further development. She emphasized that investments being made in the region are strengthening not only the Greek economy, but also Europe's overall energy resilience.

Describing the geopolitical challenges, the US ambassador also explained how energy is being turned into a weapon.

"You see with the conflict in the war between Russia and Ukraine how the Russians weaponized energy against the Ukrainians and tried to black them out during winter, cut off their energy supply to weaken them so they didn't have a strong position at the negotiating table. Greece and the United States stepped up to make sure that they had LNG [liquid natural gas] to be able to get through the winter, which got them in a very important position at the table to be able to continue to negotiate and to fight for their country. We're seeing that increasingly, that there's energy terror, a war on energy infrastructure," Guilfoyle said.

The American ambassador also referred to the strategic relationship of Greek ports and to countering Chinese influence. As she noted, "Something else that I think is really important is increasing the outputs from some of these other ports, because it also pushes back against Chinese interests as well. So if they can increase outputs in places like Alexandroupoli, Elefsina, Revithoussa, obviously very important as well. That's something I think that is very strategic for Greece and for the region."

US always steady in support of its allies

Asked about Greek-Turkish relations and the role of the US, Ambassador Guilfoyle underlined the need to retain open channels of communication between NATO allies.

"We want NATO allies to get along, to communicate, have open lines of communication, to cooperate together. And the United States has always been very steady in terms of supporting its allies," she noted, adding the following: "The president of the United States has always been a man of courage and morality and ethics to step in any situation that he feels needs attention. He's been the greatest peacemaking president of our lifetime [...] And I think it's very serious when you see that Secretary Rubio will be coming here, that the undersecretary was here. We look forward to the president of the United States coming to visit, and the vice president of the United States. So I think Greece should feel really confident and secure in its position and its relationship with the United States. The United States does not allow our allies to ever be in a precarious position."

In terms of defence cooperation, the ambassador underlined:

"There's a lot of plans in terms of military and defense, with Greece getting the F-35s and also getting some other munitions for the F-16s as well. So there's a comprehensive defense package that we have in the works. Also, I think it's important to say that we've been able to count in a very serious way on Greece. And Greece has made a very strong commitment of 5% of their GDP of spending on military defense capabilities, which they're far ahead of many of the larger EU countries. That does not go unnoticed by the president."

Additionally, the existing military interoperability was impressive, she said, and Souda base "pivotal", something particularly evident in the operations Midnight Hammer and Epic Fury, which included massive and complicated missions. Ambassador Guilfoyle also recalled Greece's role in operations and evacuations in the Middle East, pointing out that whenever operations of such scale and global reach take place, reliable partners are necessary, especially in this part of the world. She particularly noted that Greece holds a unique and especially significant geopolitical position, which the United States highly appreciates.

Rubio’s visit to Greece substantive, not ceremonial

Referring to the significance of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s upcoming visit to Greece, expected "in a few weeks", Guilfoyle emphasized that the choice of Greece by such a high-ranking US official-one with a demanding schedule-does not represent a merely routine or symbolic gesture.

"I think it's significant in telling that that he is choosing to come to Greece [...] It's not like there's a NATO summit, or something like that. He's coming here to have very productive conversations and to say "Thank you', like our undersecretary did, for the cooperation and everything that Greece has done working with the United States. And I think it's not just symbolic. It's significant and it should be noted. We're deeply appreciative for what we've been able to do in terms of counting on the Greek people, on the Greek government, and everything that we work together on a daily basis," Guilfoyle highlighted.

In this context, she made particular reference to the recent meetings in Athens held by US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker with Greek Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis; Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias; Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Vassilis Kikilias; and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexandra Papadopoulou.

She also announced a new visit by Under Secretary Jacob Helberg within the next month to discuss issues related to artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure.

Northern Greece, a Silicon Valley at height of its Golden Age

Northern Greece's dynamic was particularly noted by Ambassador Guilfoyle.

"I would say that I feel that this area in northern Greece kind of reminds me of the thriving height of Silicon Valley, that there's tremendous opportunity here. Businesses are choosing to come here and invest and infuse American dollars to support the economies here, because they actually can make money here and do very well," she emphasized, citing as examples significant investments in infrastructure and technology such as Deloitte’s facilities as well as the Public Power Corporation's data center infrastructure.

As she put it, one of the region’s greatest advantages is its infrastructure:

"You have things set up very well here. It's very impressive. So it's not just another beautiful place in Greece. It's actually a place that's thriving."

The US ambassador did not fail however to mention the importance the US attaches to an open business environment free of bureaucratic obstacles.

"We're always looking as Americans to make sure there isn't cumbersome regulations or hindrances to be able to do business," she stressed, noting that based on her experience and contacts so far, "Thessaloniki is particularly well-suited to support this kind of capital infusion and additional infrastructure and support business communities coming here."

Experiencing the spirit of giving at Ormylia Monastery

In an emotionally charged passage of her remarks, the US ambassador spoke about her visit to the Holy Convent of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Ormylia, Halkidiki, and its medical center.

"It was one of the most powerful, amazing experiences that I've had, not just in my life, but for sure, obviously, in Greece," she revealed. "I grew up educated by the Sisters of Mercy, and so I have very fond memories and great education that I received. I'm obviously a very religious person. I am Roman Catholic. But I am so honored to be able to serve in a country where religion and faith is so deeply important. And that's probably been the best part of my time and service here: my relationship with the patriarch, with the archbishop, with the Greek Orthodoxy, who have been so welcoming and warm and amazing."

Describing the work of the nuns in providing breast cancer prevention and care for women, she called it "remarkable," praising the dedication and love with which they embrace and care for women and children.

In closing, Ambassador Guilfoyle also mentioned the new US consul general in Thessaloniki, Matt Hagengruber, noting that "he actually just hit the ground running," adding that "we have some of the most talented diplomats, foreign service officers right here in Thessaloniki," a city that, as she says, holds a special place in her heart.

Photo: Instagram/kimberlyguilfoyle