Antony Blinken: Turkey violates international law with its actions against Greece

Testifying before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomed the resumption of exploratory talks between Greece and Turkey.

He stressed that energy and territorial disputes be resolved "peacefully, diplomatically, not military and certainly not through provocative actions."

"We have criticised actions, including by Turkey, which violate international law and its NATO commitments, including its provocative actions against Greece and its airspace violations," he said.

"Now I think one of the positive developments has been in recent weeks a significant diminution in the temperature on those issues with Turkey engaged with the European Union, and others to try to move forward in a more productive way," Blinken added.

The US Secretary of State also acknowledged that Washington has been following developments in the Eastern Mediterranean with real concern over the past year and pointed out that the United States must play an active role in helping to promote stability in the region.

Regarding the Cyprus issue, Blinken reiterated US support for a lasting resolution that reunifies the island as a "a bi-zonal bi-communal federation."

"We will engage in the effort to advance that prospect, including supporting the critical role of the United Nations, and as well, direct American engagement in that effort," he said.

"You’ll see American diplomacy fully engaged."