The US State Department confirmed on Saturday evening that Washington is continuing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tension between Greece and Turkey.
The United States is constantly engaged with the governments of Greece and Turkey to encourage de-escalation through diplomatic channels, a State Department spokesman said in his statement.
In this context, he stressed that Washington continues to urge its allies in NATO, Greece and Turkey to work together to maintain peace and stability in the region.
We encourage states to settle their disputes peacefully under international law and call on all parties to refrain from any actions that jeopardise tension in the eastern Mediterranean, he said.
Regarding the issue of US mediation between Greece and Turkey, the State Department spokesman reiterated Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo's statement to SKAI TV during his visit to Athens.
"Our diplomats are out every day trying to create conditions where countries can talk and engage in dialogue and resolve their disputes in a peaceful way...A successful Turkey, a growing, prosperous, economically thriving Turkey is important for not only Greece but for all of us and we work diligently to try and deliver that set of outcomes," the US diplomat said.
Meanwhile, the US State Department issued a statement confirming that Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke yesterday with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu to discuss developments in the Middle East.
‘Secretary Pompeo reiterated the need for NATO to play a greater role in the region and stressed the U.S. commitment to the UN-facilitated peace process in Syria,’ read the statement.
