The Greek government on Monday denied a report alleging that US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle threatened to bring down the government amid discussions over the promotion of American liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the Balkans.
Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis rejected the allegation during a news briefing, saying there had never been any threat against the Greek government.
“I must say and be clear that there was never any question of a threat to the Greek government, and to be serious, such a thing would never be tolerated,” Marinakis said.
His comments followed a Wall Street Journal report examining Guilfoyle’s efforts to promote US LNG exports across Greece and the wider Balkan region.
According to the report, Guilfoyle allegedly made the remarks during a dinner in Athens in March while speaking with Greek Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou and referring to the prospect of the Romanian government collapsing.
“We can do that to any country we want. We can do that here,” Guilfoyle was reported as saying.
Papastavrou reportedly responded that the United States could not replace the Greek government.
Marinakis strongly rejected suggestions that Athens was being pressured into purchasing American energy.
“There is no political blackmail for American LNG,” he said.
The spokesman emphasised that relations between Greece and the United States remain close and stable, describing their ties as a deeply rooted strategic partnership based on “mutual respect and shared values.”
He also described Greece as a strategic US partner in the energy sector, saying Athens was working to strengthen the country’s energy and geopolitical position in pursuit of its national interests.
The reported remarks attributed to Guilfoyle and the Greek government’s denial present sharply different accounts of the exchange.