With brilliance, emotion and resounding messages, from the American ambassador Giorgos Tsounis, in support of Ukraine, the 4th of July National Anniversary of the USA was celebrated on Thursday evening at the American Embassy residence, in the presence of a large number of guests.

From early Thursday afternoon, the American ambassador and his wife received their distinguished guests, welcoming them to the garden of the embassy residence to celebrate with them at the reception that marked the declaration of the independence of the United States. “247 years ago, our founders envisioned a free and democratic country, based on values ​​and principles that were born here in Athens,” stressed Giorgos Tsounis, starting his greeting.

Toasting with a glass full of Moldovan wine with the “Freedom Blend”, a blend of three varieties from Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia, donated to him by the Embassy of Moldova in Greece, Mr. Tsounis emphasized that the continuous support and joint efforts are necessary to ensure that “our brothers and sisters in Ukraine – represented here by my great friend, Ambassador of Ukraine to Greece Serhii Sutenko – will soon be able to return to their homeland in a free, integrated country and unmistakably Ukrainian.”

He recalled that from 1947 to 1953 the USA gave Europe 14.3 billion dollars, with 2.2 billion dollars going to Greece, three times more than the size of the Greek economy at that time.

Sending a resounding message in defense of Ukraine, he declared: “We cannot put it down, we will not sit in the safety of our homes and talk about solidarity.” Ukrainians are the ones fighting and dying for these principles we hold dear.” He clearly underlined that “we cannot be spectator states, we cannot be silent as one country tries to redraw the borders of another by force”. Therefore, he appealed to countries to commit themselves to peace and freedom in a Ukraine that will not only survive, but also prosper. “So let’s make a toast in their honor, to freedom, democracy and love. The project continues, the purpose lasts,” he emphasized.

He made a special reference to the recent visit of former US President Barack Obama to Greece and confided: “My good friend Barack Obama was in Athens last week. It reminded me that Each of us, in Greece and the United States, has a sacred, ongoing obligation to protect the democratic values ​​we hold so dear.”

At the same time, he underlined the need for equal representation of each gender in power and on company boards. “I believe that when the history of this century is written, it will not be the century of autocrats, the internet or COVID. It will be the century of women,” he emphasized.
He also expressed the hope that those who seek a better life will be able to rebuild it in countries that are free, safe and with many opportunities. He made special reference to the Antetokounmpo brothers, saying they are a shining example of what can happen when given opportunities.

With particular emotion, he referred to his parents who immigrated from Greece only with hope and the solid foundations of Greek values, underlining the importance of the Marshall Plan. “My parents might not have survived after World War II if it weren’t for the United States and the Marshall Plan, through which the American people sent over six million tons of food and supplies to Greece. In the words of George Marshall (whose statue adorns the facade of the embassy), the American people “answered the call of a brave, long-suffering ally, to whom this American republic owes so much…” write down.

On this report, he pointed out that there are 110 million displaced people in the world today, and added that when people leave their homes in search of a better life, they want to come to the democracies. “It is not only because of the freedom that democracies provide. It is because democracies offer better, richer and safer lives. We don’t see people risking their lives trying to immigrate to Russia, North Korea, Venezuela or Iran. Iran does not have an immigration problem. Democracies like ours, on the other hand, are a beacon, a beacon on the shore. Democracy only works when it works for everyone. When I say for everyone, I mean the inclusion of LGBTI+ people,” he said. When he says everyone, he continued, he means supporting children with special needs who crave the academic rigor, sports, friendship and opportunities that inclusive education offers.

In this context, he addressed the exhortation, to choose love, not hate, freedom, not tyranny, unity, not division, all and not the few.

In fact, citing Amanda Gorman (the popular young poet of the United States), he said there is always light if we are brave enough to see it.

During the reception hosted by the American ambassador, the ministers of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Gerapetritis, Defense Nikos Dendias, Development Kostas Skrekas, Labor Adonis Georgiadis, Citizen Protection Notis Mitarakis, Rural Development Lefteris Avgenakis, Tourism Olga Kefalogiannis, Digital Governance were present, among others. Dimitris Papastergiou, the Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs Kostas Fragogiannis and Giorgos Kotsiras, the Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Security Panos Tsakloglou, Culture Christos Dimas, Digital Governance Konstantinos Kyranakis. Also present were former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, SYRIZA Member of Parliament Christos Spirtzis, GEETHA leader Konstantinos Floros, IOBE president Nikos Vettas, heads of diplomatic missions of foreign countries in Greece, businessmen, academics, journalists, as well as a number of former ministers.

It is estimated that the attendance of the guests exceeded 1,500 people, constituting a record attendance in the annals of the receptions of the American embassy in Athens for the National Independence Day of the USA.