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The United States supported Cyprus rather than Greece and Turkey. Photo: vkcyprus.com
The United States expressed concern over the growing conflict between Turkey and Greek-backed European countries amid competition for a new gas field.
It is reported by the Washington Post.
The corresponding statement was made by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo after speaking with the President of Cyprus, Nikos Anastasiades.
“The escalation of military tensions only serves adversaries who would like to see a split in transatlantic unity. We remain deeply concerned about the ongoing operations of Turkey, which is seeking natural resources in the eastern Mediterranean regions, on which Greece and Cyprus have reaffirmed their jurisdiction, “Pompeo said at the time of the press conference.
According to him, the tension in relations between the NATO allies over hydrocarbon reserves in the Mediterranean plays in the hands of the opponents of the North Atlantic alliance and the problem must be solved through diplomacy.
Pompeo also noted that US President Donald Trump has already discussed the issue with Greece’s chief Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, urging them to resolve the conflict peacefully.
In addition, Pompeo reaffirmed the support of the United States to use the mineral resources of Cyprus in its own exclusive economic zone.
Let us remember that Greece has issued an international NAVTEX alert (Navtex) about the carrying out of military exercises with shots in the area of the island of Kastelorizo. Navtex is valid from Monday July 27 to July 30 for Coast Guard shooting exercises. According to Navtex, seafarers are prohibited from crossing the designated area. Soon after, Turkey criticized the agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel on the full restoration of diplomatic relations, calling it treason, which allowed the United Arab Emirates to side with Greece in the conflict over Cyprus.
As Strana reported, on August 13, the Greek and Turkish frigates Limnos and Kemalreis “touched down” in the disputed eastern Mediterranean region, where the Turkish research vessel Oruc Reis is conducting seismic studies. In turn, the European Union accused Turkey of escalating the conflict with Greece.
In connection with the worsening of relations between these countries, France sent its frigate to the Mediterranean.
In addition, “Strana” wrote that Greece announced the holding of military exercises with shooting on the border with Turkey. Soon after, Turkey announced that it would also conduct artillery exercises in the eastern Mediterranean amid growing conflict with Greece over seismic studies in the disputed platform area.
Then Turkey began moving tanks from the southeastern Hatay province to the northwestern Edirne region, which borders Greece.
