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London, Thanassis Gavos
To investigate proposals for the relocation of US military equipment critical of Souda from Incirlik airbase, he spoke in response to the Times from Athens referring to Pompeo’s intentions during his visit to Greece.
As discussed, the visit by the US Secretary of State is seen as a sign of America’s diminishing patience with President Erdogan. The United States has started talks with Greece about the relocation of the Incirlik air base in order to punish Erdogan, the British newspaper regularly reports.
Defense analyst Athanasios Drougos told the British newspaper that it was unclear “whether Washington can move all the equipment, including the nuclear arsenal, from Incirlik.”
However, he believes that Pompeo’s visit alone to reinforce the message to Ankara that he is seeking alternatives is a thorn in Erdogan’s side.
The newspaper notes that the head of the US Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe, Ron Johnson, hinted earlier this month that the United States was considering Souda as an alternative to Incirlik.
“The US naval base in the Gulf of Souda is now playing a much larger and strategically important role,” Drougos said.
“Relations between Greece and Turkey, NATO allies but old enemies, have deteriorated dramatically in the weeks since the Turks sent a research ship to explore for gas and oil near Crete.” Mr Pompeo has intervened. in the crisis, prompting Turkey to withdraw its research vessel and Greece to accept ‘exploratory’ talks next month. “
Details have yet to be announced, but Greece has already insisted that it will only discuss specific differences. Turkey wants open talks. “The chances of meaningful progress in these talks appear slim,” Drougos said. “But at least the tension has increased for now.”
Source: skai.gr
