Our Community has made history. It is celebrating, tasting the fruits of her labors. Of her sacrifices. Of her dreams. George Tsunis, son of immigrants, a child of our Community, a successful businessman, and good family man, is the new U.S. Ambassador to Greece.

He is only the second Greek-American, after the late Michael Sotirhos, to occupy this high position.

George Tsunis, however, is a proud Greek-American. He is proud of his Hellenic descent and is certainly a proud American citizen.

The American dream takes many forms, although we usually equate it with economic success. This is because no rich person immigrates. In the course of its unfolding, however, the American dream takes various forms. It can be achieved by a scientist. An artist or musician. A politician. A diplomat. A good family man.

In the mill and grind of daily struggle, within highly competitive American society, our Community is proving its strong DNA. Proving the ability of Hellenes to compete with the best and to earn the highest successes.

This is proved by the case of Tsunis, who was not the only candidate to represent the President of the United States in Greece. The competition was fierce, with career diplomats and non-U.S. Foreign Service candidates with him in the lists. People both inside and outside our Community.

His candidacy, however, stood out. And he stood out not only because of his close, long-term relationship with the President and other politicians. He also stood out for his charismatic personality. For his abilities. For his successful career.

The new U.S. ambassador to Greece stands on the firm foundations of U.S.-Greece relations.

We are now looking at probably the best relations in the history of the two countries.

Today, Greece and America cooperate harmoniously, with the support of the vast majority of the people of Greece on a number of important issues, especially security.

Today, Greece grants to America the use of military bases critical to its security and to the security of the West. And, of course, what it is asking for in return is American support in ensuring its own security.

Thus, George Tsunis will find the ‘table set’ in this regard, but it is certain that he will add to it. There is always room for improvement.

However, the challenges posed by the aftermath of the war in Ukraine, with Turkey once again a major question mark, along with her openly advertised aggressive attitude against Greece, will be significant. Rarely, then, does a new ambassador like George Tsunis have to deal with such a serious situation when he arrives in a country.

The Greek-American ambassador, however, is fully prepared to carry out his mission in Greece. And it is important that he loves the country. That he has lived it. That he is connected by blood to her. That she speaks her language.

And all this will contribute to the success of his mission. Through his results and achievements, he will validate the high honor and the great responsibility that has been granted to him by his country.