00:02As you know, Greece is a critical American ally.
00:06The U.S.-Greece relationship has grown to probably one of the most strongest and enduring relationships
00:13based on common values, based on defense cooperation, based on strong people-to-people ties,
00:20energy collaboration, and the important role they have played also with respect to fighting back
00:28against Putin's war of aggression against Ukraine.
00:32And that last point indicates that, you know, Greece also plays an important regional role.
00:39So your responsibilities as ambassador, of course, are to deepen the bilateral relationship or to support that,
00:45but also take a look at the broader picture.
00:48And recently, Turkey submitted a maritime spatial plan to UNESCO that reflects claims, maritime claims that have been disputed by Greece.
01:02Are you aware of that plan that was submitted?
01:04Senator, thank you for the question.
01:06I'm aware of the plan.
01:07I am not deeply familiar with the plan because I have not been confirmed.
01:11And if confirmed, that is one of the areas that I want to work with the senators and congressmen
01:16and the talented people at the State Department, the Secretary Rubio,
01:20to make sure that we have a strong command of that situation as well.
01:25And with Ambassador Barak.
01:27I appreciate that.
01:30So I guess one question would be the approach that you take,
01:33because a lot of the actions Turkey has taken, both respect to intrusion into Greek airspace,
01:41into Greek waters, obviously create possibilities of conflict, which we'd hope to avoid.
01:49Do you agree that as we approach these kind of issues that we should do it based on the international law?
01:58In other words, the international rules of the road with respect to maritime rights?
02:04Thank you for the question.
02:06As a former prosecutor, I've been an attorney for, what, 30-plus years.
02:11I have the utmost respect for the rule of law.
02:14I believe it should be adhered to.
02:16And then there is the additional aspects to consider of what is the State Department policy,
02:22what is the position of the President of the United States as it relates to American interests.
02:27Will it make us stronger, safer, more prosperous?
02:30All of those need to be applied to these complex matrices to make sure that we know that we are acting in the best interests of the United States.
02:38And because Greece is so important and pivotal geopolitically, it is a key place in the region that must be respected.
02:47And I am a strong believer that we are sending a message to the rest of the world if we do not treat our most strongest and strategic and consistent and steadfast allies like Greece in an appropriate manner
03:00to honor and respect the commitment that they have made to the United States of America and, as you mentioned, with our shared values.
03:07This is of pivotal importance.
03:10And I do believe, again, speaking privately and not as a confirmed ambassador, if confirmed,
03:15I would work very hard to make sure that we are really keeping that distinction about who has been acting in the best interests of the United States of America
03:22in accordance with the President's viewpoints, in accordance with our national security interests and foreign policy interests.
03:29And I think there's a strong juxtaposition between allies who have and haven't.
03:33I appreciate that.
03:34I just want to underscore the fact that Greece sees it in its interests to apply international law, international maritime law.
03:45And I would hope that the U.S. position is that we also respect maritime law and not support or look the other way when that's being violated.
03:58But your answer, of course, opened the door to looking the other way and, you know, depending on other factors.
04:05So let me just I need to turn to Ambassador Blanchard.
04:08And I know Senator Booker covered some of this.
04:12As you know, the President's budget, you know, envisions very deep cuts to the U.N. generally,
04:18including deep cuts to the U.N. humanitarian and food programs.
04:22Among the U.N. entities that you'll be responsible for, you know, working with is the World Food Program,
04:31which, as you know, is headed by an American who I believe is doing a very good job, Cindy McCain.
04:37But the World Food Program is currently facing a 40 percent overall funding cut.
04:42The projections are that as many as 58 million people will be put at greater risk of starvation.
04:50There have been cuts by the administration to the PL-480 program.
04:54There was just a report the other day about Kansas farmers who used to support the PL-48 program,
05:00now looking to essentially use their products for dog food when they prefer to be part of the World Food Program and PL-480.
05:11So my question to you is pretty simple.
05:12Within this administration, will you be an advocate, an advocate for increasing U.S. support for the World Food Program?
05:22Sir, Senator, thank you for the question.
05:25I look forward to working with your team once confirmed, but I will say after the reevaluation,
05:30I'm sure that the president has the three focuses in mind, does it make us more prosperous, safer, and stronger as Americans.
05:43And I look forward to working in those areas once the reevaluation is done.
05:49I do know that in my – this is just as a private citizen – that 85 percent of the funding that we've given to World Food Program is still in use, and I applaud that.
06:02I also applaud that Ms. McCain's focus is on public-private partnerships at the moment, and I've heard that's been doing well.
06:11I see that as a wonderful addition to World Food Program and look forward to partnering with her as leader of the program.
06:21And certainly after the reevaluation, would really want to immediately get engaged with this committee on where we need to focus as a team because it is critical.
06:34Food security is national security, and we all love our farmers, and we want the best for our farmers.
