V. Kikilias Meets Kimberly Guilfoyle: “Cooperation with the US on Port Infrastructure, Shipping and Security”

The Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, welcomed the US Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy today.

The meeting between the Minister and the Ambassador took place in a particularly warm atmosphere as part of efforts to deepen strategic cooperation between Greece and the United States in the shipbuilding and shipping sectors, recognising the leading position of Greek-owned shipping in the global merchant fleet.

Following the meeting, Mr Kikilias and Ms Guilfoyle visited the Hellas Liberty vessel at the port of Piraeus. Built in the United States during World War II, the ship now serves as a floating museum dedicated to Greece’s maritime history.

The following are the statements made by the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, and the US Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle.

Vassilis Kikilias

“We are very proud and pleased to welcome the Ambassador of the United States, Ms Guilfoyle, here with us today.

“Our cooperation will aim to promote prosperity and development in both countries, the United States and Greece, and for both American and Greek families. This cooperation will focus on port infrastructure, American investment in port facilities in our country, shipping-related agreements and security issues.

“We are delighted to have her here. Immediately afterwards, we will visit one of the three remaining Liberty ships in the world, which is located here at the port of Piraeus.

“This particular vessel played an active role in the Normandy landings. In 1943, the American shipbuilding industry was producing one such vessel every two days. It is remarkable.

“These ships helped in the fight against Nazism, and this visit is a symbolic gesture because we believe in—and want to restart—shipping cooperation between the United States and Greece.”

Kimberly Guilfoyle

“Minister Kikilias, thank you for your warm hospitality today.

“It is an honour to serve as the United States Ambassador to Greece, a country that is such an extraordinary force in global shipping.

“Greece has long been a strong partner of the United States across many sectors, but shipping stands out because of its vital role in ensuring the stability and growth of global trade. Greece’s continued contributions to the global maritime sector ensure that its pivotal role as a regional and global hub will continue to grow and strengthen in the years ahead.

“President Donald J. Trump issued his executive order to revitalise America’s maritime dominance in April, early in his administration, underscoring the importance he attaches to this sector.

“This executive order includes cooperation with allies to strengthen the shipbuilding capacity of the United States, and Greece and Greek companies have responded to this call. I thank you for that.

“Strong allies deserve—and will receive—strong partnerships built on respect, reciprocity and, above all, results. That is precisely what we intend to achieve, and it is what we have been working towards for many months, even before my arrival.

“I want to thank all of you, and I want to thank you for your leadership and for everything you have done to strengthen the bilateral relationship between our two great nations.

“God bless you, God bless Greece, and God bless the United States of America.”