US ambassador's role in Albania gas deal draws scrutiny following investigation

A Wall Street Journal investigation has raised questions regarding US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle and her role in helping Greek company Aktor secure a $6 billion gas supply agreement in Albania. According to reporting, Guilfoyle traveled to Tirana alongside energy lobbyist Christos Marafatsos to meet with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama prior to the contract signing.

The report highlights growing scrutiny over the alignment between official American diplomatic advocacy, private lobbying, and Greek energy expansion across the Western Balkans. Marafatsos reportedly works as a commercial energy lobbyist while simultaneously advising the ambassador. The involvement of diplomatic figures in commercial negotiations has sparked broader debate over the boundaries of foreign policy and corporate interests in the region.

Sources: Gazeta Tema, Koha