US and Greece commit to stronger ties following Pompeo – Dendias meeting

Greece’s Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias concluded his meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the State Department on Wednesday.

"I am glad that one of my first meetings as Foreign Minister of the new Greek government was with my US counterpart Mike Pompeo," Dendias said, and added that "we all know that the close relationship between Greece and the United States has a long history, but it is particularly interesting to deepen and extend this relationship every time" there is a new meeting.

During their meeting, the two men reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the strategic collaboration between Athens and Washington on matters affecting the region in light of Turkey’s continuous provocations.

During their discussions on current geopolitical developments in the Aegean and the East Mediterranean region, the Greek Minister focused on the Turkish stance against the sovereign rights of both the Republic of Cyprus and Greece.

"We requested of the US a clear line of communication, in the event of any issue concerning our relations with Turkey, where an explicit and direct response by the US could be useful," Dendias highlighted. He added that "the Americans took note and will respond to us."

In this context, Dendias explained that the Greek side urged the US to keep a stance of clear support to Greece concerning Turkey's attitude.

Finally, regarding developments in the energy sector and the various multilateral regional collaborations developed by Greek foreign policy, the Greek Foreign Affairs Minister said he also discussed "the positive prospects for energy and cooperation with Cyprus and Israel, in the framework of this tripartite relationship, as well as in cooperation with Egypt."

At the conclusion of their meeting, Dendias invited Pompeo to visit Athens in the autumn for the second Strategic Dialogue between Greece and the US, an invitation the US saw positively was likely to be accepted, the minister said in comments to the press.