“I want us to write new chapters and leave a lasting legacy in American and Greek political history,” says Kimberly Guilfoyle in her first interview as US Ambassador to Greece, speaking exclusively to Vogue Greece which was released on Sunday with Kathimerini.

Her key priorities include strengthening Greece’s geopolitical importance through “substantial bilateral investment”, and expanding cooperation in shipping, agriculture, and tourism.

It places even greater emphasis on the defense, technology, and energy sectors.

“Greece is a cornerstone of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean,” notes Guilfoyle, who is the first female US ambassador to our country.

“Our cooperation in these areas strengthens peace throughout the region and strengthens the transatlantic alliance as a whole,” he emphasizes.

He envisions a future in which Greek innovation and American investment will go hand in hand – from Athens to Silicon Valley, while he wants all Greek men and women to know that “America is their ally.”

“It’s very important, when we focus on this area, to understand which ally has exceeded our expectations. NATO, European Union – many countries are members of them. But which one has really done its best to be a strong, strategic partner of the US? Greece”, underlines Kimberly Guilfoyle, “every time”.

She looks forward to working with the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the Ministers of his government, she tells Vogue Greece, in order to take the bilateral relationship to an even higher level, adding that she knows exactly what the American President expects from her. “I want to bring great victories for the USA, which will be beneficial for Greece as well, for our relationship.”

When journalist Iliana Magra points out that, since the beginning of Donald Trump’s second presidential term, he has not met bilaterally with Kyriakos Mitsotakis, which has worried some observers, Guilfoyle smiles reassuringly: “We’ll be fine. We’ll be fine. I mean, he’s sending me.”

At the same time, the American ambassador talks about her life, her concerns, her plans for Greece that are not purely related to her mission, and, among other things, about the phone call she had with Donald Trump when he offered her the specific role.

“He talked to me about this opportunity and asked me if I wanted to serve, telling me how many were vying for that position,” he says. “But”, he told me, “if you want her, she’s yours”.

Did she immediately say yes, before hanging up? “Of course,” he emphasizes. “You don’t say no to the president.”

On the occasion of her father, Anthony Guilfoyle, who was an immigrant to the USA from Ireland, the interview also talks about immigration, with the journalist stressing that with the current American government it is almost impossible for someone to immigrate to the USA.

A few days after the interview, Vogue Greece adds, in response to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, Los Angeles County declared a state of emergency to provide further protection to those affected by the government’s deportation policy.

“There is a specific process to becoming an American citizen,” Guilfoyle replies. “I don’t think it’s fair that some people try to circumvent it or come into the country illegally.”

Will he deal with the issue of immigration in Greece at all?

Her role, she argues, is to represent American interests – American business, the American economy and energy. “[Η μετανάστευση στην Ελλάδα] it’s the Prime Minister’s job,” he says, but adds: “I think he’s aware that it’s an issue that Greece already has, and will have to continue to deal with.”

He doesn’t think America is deeply divided right now. “Really?”, he snaps back to a related question. The criticism of Trump and his policies does not concern her. “He has my unwavering support and devotion,” he clarifies.