US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Greece’s strategic importance to Washington following the departure of Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle, emphasizing that bilateral relations remain strong and that the Trump administration intends to appoint a successor with the president’s full confidence.
In an interview with Breitbart News conducted on Thursday, October 15, Rubio described Greece as a key American ally in energy security, regional stability and NATO, rejecting suggestions that Guilfoyle’s departure signaled a change in US policy toward Athens.
“Greece is an important country, very important. They’re a great ally of the United States,” Rubio said.
“They’ve been helping us in so many different ways, and they’re important for our future,” he added, citing energy independence, regional stability and Greece’s contribution to NATO.
The interview followed Rubio’s recent visit to Athens, where he met Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and delivered an address emphasizing the historical connections between Greece and the United States.
Search for New Ambassador
Asked about the next steps following Guilfoyle’s departure, Rubio said the administration was still in the early stages of selecting a replacement.
“Greece deserves a strong and good ambassador that has access to and the confidence of the president,” he said.
Rubio noted that the selection would require identifying a suitable candidate and completing the Senate confirmation process. He did not name potential successors or provide a timetable.
“In the meantime, we’ll make sure we have a good team of people there on the ground,” he said.
The secretary of state dismissed suggestions that the diplomatic change reflected diminished American interest in Greece.
“In no way should any of this be viewed as sort of a de-emphasizing of the Greek relationship,” Rubio said.
“On the contrary, I think it’s so important to us that it is important that the person that’s there have the complete support and confidence of the president.”
Rubio also praised Greece’s role in NATO, noting that Athens had increased defense spending independently of pressure from President Donald Trump.
Energy Cooperation and Regional Security
Rubio placed particular emphasis on Greece’s role in regional energy development and transportation, highlighting its geographical position between Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
“I think Greece is in a very unique place, both geographically and politically,” he said.
“Politically, they are open to energy exploration. In fact, they are encouraged by it.”
He said Greece could play an important role in transporting energy northward into Europe and southward toward Israel and the wider Middle East.
“They’ve always been the connector between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East,” Rubio said.
The discussion included the Vertical Corridor initiative, designed to transport natural gas, including American liquefied natural gas, from Greece through southeastern Europe toward Ukraine and other European markets.
Rubio criticized Europe’s previous reliance on Russian energy, arguing that it had created economic and security vulnerabilities.
He also referred to his October 7 address in Athens, emphasizing the influence of ancient Greece and Rome on American institutions and political values.
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