The United States will continue to support Greece as it enters the process of economic recovery, U.S. Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt said on Monday evening, as he marked Independence Day at an event held in his house. 
"As Greece now begins the process of economic recovery, the United States will continue to do all that we can to see that the Greek people thrive and succeed and to further strengthen our alliance," he told guests. 
Pyatt welcomed a US congressional delegation for attending the event, saying it signals his  country's commitment to Greek-U.S. alliance. 
"It's a special honour to have this large, bipartisan congressional delegation with us to see firsthand the strength of our bilateral relationship with Greece. A relationship based on common values and shared strategic interests. Your presence is a strong signal of the U.S. commitment to support this deeply rooted alliance between our two countries," he said and thanked Greek ministers, political leaders and representatives of the Armed Forces for attending the event. 
Commenting on the holiday, he said the Fourth of July celebrates the idea and values of America and noted their roots in Ancient Athens. 
"The cherished democratic values that make us strong: democratic accountability, freedom, honour - the values that inspired America's founders originated right here, in Athens. So celebrating here is especially appropriate. These democratic ideals have been the foundation of the Unites States long-standing friendship with Greece, starting from the earliest days of the American republic," he said, noting how Ancient Greek ideals explicitly inspired America's founding fathers while the American Revolution in turn galvanized the Greek people to fight for democracy. 
The ambassador ended on a positive note, mentioning how the long economic slump has not affected the Greek people's faith in democratic values. 
"Greece has long been a bulwark of western democratic ideals in this challenging region. And in my travels across the length and breadth of this beautiful country one of the things that has impressed me is how Greeks, even amid a historic economic crisis have retained their commitment to democratic values and institutions," he said.