At today's Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Kimberly Guilfoyle, President Trump's nominee for Ambassador to Greece, delivered her opening statement.
00:00effective leader on the world stage, especially in the fight against global
00:05hunger. I look forward to your questions, sir. Great. Thank you very much, Ambassador.
00:11Ms. Guilfoyle, go to your opening statement, please. Thank you. I first off want to start and say thank you to my dear friend of many years, Senator Hagerty, for your kind introduction, for your stewardship and service to this country and multiple roles that you have done.
00:26You're someone I greatly look up to, admire, and hope to follow in the footsteps of your great service to this country. And thank you to the esteemed members of this committee. Thank you for standing in, Subcommittee Chairman, Mr. Ricketts, Chairman Risch, Senator McCormick, another great friend, and Senator Coons, who showed up here earlier today.
00:46It is with great and profound sense of honor and deep humility that I appear before you today as President Trump's nominee to serve as the United States Ambassador to Greece.
00:57I extend my sincerest gratitude to the President for his faith in my abilities and to Secretary Rubio and to Sergio Al Gore here, present today, the head of PPO and his amazing team, for their collective trust and confidence placed in me.
01:13I also thank this committee for the opportunity to be here and for your careful consideration of my nomination.
01:20I would like to thank my closest family and friends for their support, their encouragement throughout this process.
01:27I would like to offer special thanks and love to my son Ronan, my brother Tony Guilfoyle, and to Donnie Trump for their steadfast support.
01:35I also would like to thank my parents, who would be so incredibly proud to see me here today.
01:41My mother, Mercedes, was a special education teacher from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
01:46My father, an immigrant from Ireland, came to this nation in pursuit of the American dream.
01:51And now I consider it my duty to carry on the mission and the values that they instilled in me.
01:57To be nominated to represent the United States is truly a great privilege, and to be considered for a post in Greece, the very birthplace of democracy is a uniquely humbling honor.
02:09The ideals of liberty, self-governance, and the rule of law that were born in ancient Athens have echoed through the centuries, inspiring generations of thinkers and leaders, including our own nation's founders.
02:22This profound legacy, which has greatly influenced the world and the formation of our own republic, resonates with my own lifelong dedication to public service and the unwavering pursuit of a more just and prosperous world through strong international partnerships.
02:41My career path has been defined by a steadfast commitment to advocacy and public engagement.
02:47As a prosecutor in the demanding environments of both San Francisco and Los Angeles, I was entrusted to be a voice for those who could not speak for themselves and to uphold the foundational principles of our legal system.
02:59This experience honed the skills of careful negotiation, clear-eyed analysis, and the pursuit of truth, qualities I believe are indispensable to effective diplomacy.
03:10Subsequently, my decades in the media as a legal analyst and television host provided me with a platform to elevate critical issues, spotlight injustice, and champion truth on a wide range of priorities and for audiences across the globe.
03:25These endeavors, coupled with my active engagement in public advocacy and the political arena, including during my service as First Lady of San Francisco, have provided me with a keen and timely understanding of international relations and an unshakable belief in the power of robust alliances to advance our shared interests and values.
03:45If confirmed, I pledge to bring the full measure of this experience to bear in Athens.
03:50I am prepared to be a tireless advocate for American interests, a steadfast partner for our Greek allies, and a proud and loyal representative of the President and the American people.
04:02Over the past several decades, Greece has evolved to be a pillar of stability in a complex region, and its commitment to our shared security within the NATO alliance matters more than ever.
04:13Consistently ranking among the top spending allies, Greece is projected to continue dedicating 3% of its GDP to defense in 2025, and is on a trajectory to reach 5%, in line with the alliance's commitment at The Hague.
04:27This is not merely a matter of statistics. It is a tangible investment in our collective security.
04:34Furthermore, a substantial portion of this expenditure has been directed toward the acquisition of cutting-edge U.S. defense technology, including the formidable F-35 fighter jets, advanced Apache and Black Hawk helicopters, and modern naval vessels.
04:49Additionally, the proposed joint project to co-produce constellation-class naval frigates demonstrates Greece's long-term commitment to our strategic defense partnership.
04:58These modernization efforts enhance Greece's significant military capabilities, strengthen the eastern flank of our NATO alliance, and create valuable opportunities for American industry.
05:09If confirmed, I will make it a top priority to further accelerate Greece's defense modernization by fostering even greater cooperation and synergy between our defense sectors.
05:19The United States and Greece have made tremendous progress on energy cooperation.
05:24Greece's Revathusa LNG Terminal and the construction of the Alexandrupoli Floating Storage Regasification Unit is allowing the U.S. to export more gas to Europe.
05:35While U.S. natural gas now accounts for 20% of gas in Greece, up from 2% five years ago, there are huge opportunities to sell more U.S. energy to Greece and its neighbors.
05:46If confirmed, I will work with the so-called vertical corridor between Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, and Central Europe so that Greece can become a hub of U.S. gas for the region.
05:59I will also encourage Greece's progress on constructing electricity interconnections and its neighbors, including Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt, which contribute to regional energy diversification and security.
06:12Economic opportunity remains a central pillar of the robust U.S.-Greece relationship.
06:17If confirmed, I will serve as a proactive and strategic partner in advancing U.S. trade and investment interests, building on successful efforts to expand opportunities for American firms across key sectors, including defense, energy, shipping, infrastructure, technology, AI, pharmaceuticals, hospitality, and agriculture.
06:38I will also actively pursue pathways to encourage and facilitate Greek investment in the United States, fostering a more balanced, resilient, and mutually beneficial economic partnership.
06:50Ultimately, the enduring strength of the U.S.-Greece relationship is built upon the solid bedrock of our people-to-people ties.
06:57The vibrant Greek-American and Greek Orthodox community has made immeasurable contributions to the fabric of our nation, and the bonds of culture, family, and shared heritage between our countries run deep.
07:09I am also deeply committed to championing religious freedom, an essential pillar of all democratic societies and a core value we share with our Greek allies.
07:19If confirmed, I look forward to engaging with and supporting the vital work of Greek cultural, educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, municipalities, and individual citizens.
07:31I am committed to working alongside the diaspora to further strengthen these essential human connections that bind our nations in a spirit of friendship and mutual respect.
07:42Thank you once again for the honor of appearing before you today.
