US Ambassador Tsunis: Athens-Washington ties will continue to strengthen under President Trump

10:48 6/12/2024 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

United States Ambassador to Greece George Tsunis, in an interview with ERT News, stressed that Athens-Washington relations will continue to strengthen under the new President Donald Trump. He revealed that outgoing US

President Joe Biden wants to visit Greece once he completes his term.

Regarding President Trump's aspirations, he noted that he cannot answer but stressed that the past is a fairly accurate guide. Specifically, he said that in his first term with regard to Greece, relations had strengthened and deepened.

He described the choice of Marco Rubio as the US Secretary of State nominee as excellent. This is because, as he explained, he understands the importance of the US-Greece bilateral relationship and Greece's role in NATO as a stabilizing factor in the region.

Tsounis said in his interview that his tenure in Athens was the greatest honor of his life. He said Greece is coming out of a major crisis, and its economy has stabilized and is one of the fastest growing in Europe. He described the opening of the Elefsis shipyards as a unique moment of his tenure, as he said the US invested 125 million dollars in the opening of these shipyards.

He pointed out that the American companies Onex and Cisco have opened the Syros and Elefsis shipyards. He explained that there were about 200 employees, mostly part-time, who maintained a couple of ships a year. Today, Tsunis said about 200 ships are repaired annually, and we have 1,900 employees, a number that will rise to 8,300 in the next two years. This does not only mean economic prosperity, he stressed; it does not only mean 2 billion dollars in GDP for Greece, but it mainly means that people will be able to make a living.

He stressed that he was fortunate to have served Greece at a time when anti-Americanism has largely waned. He stressed that the values, principles, and interests of the United States were in line with the values, principles, and interests of Greece.

He noted that during his tenure there has been a large increase in the percentage of American students studying in Greece. He said that foreign direct investment is significantly higher, as companies such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Google, Meta, Pfizer, and Chubb are making significant investments in Greece, adding that cooperation at the military level is better than ever before.

In an interview with ERT news, Tsunis stressed that the US recognizes that Greece is an essential partner everywhere and essential in securing the southeastern side of NATO. Asked about his relationship with the Greek prime minister, he said he has a close personal relationship because, he explained, Mitsotakis understands that relationships based on values and principles are the ones that endure.

He said that the Mitsotakis government acts only on the basis of values and principles. And this, he said, is recognized by the US. He also said that Greece's best days are ahead because not only has the economy recovered, but it is also growing steadily.

On Athens-Ankara relations, Tsunis said the US is encouraging the two countries to resolve their differences diplomatically and peacefully.

Regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he noted that it was a huge wake-up call for Europe.

He also said that Greece is a pillar of stability and is surrounded by arcs of instability; that is why he explained that the US, as a partner, understands that Greece faces challenges. He explained that the US should help Greece with its coast guard.

He noted that the joint training and joint exercises are of a very high level, noting that Greece represents the southeastern wing of NATO and will be the country that has the F-35s in the region.

He also mentions that Greece is one of the top ten countries in the world in renewable resources, noting that it can even be a net exporter by implementing energy diversification and transition and decarbonization.

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