Pompeo at SNF event in Athens: I hope Erdogan becomes a good NATO partner

Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered a keynote speech at the 1st American Mediterranean Investment Forum organised by the Joseph Sassoon Group at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation in the Athens area.

In his address, Pompeo spoke of the significant relations between the United States, Greece, and the Mediterranean and emphasised security and economic issues while referring to shared prosperity.

Asked about the EastMed natural gas pipeline project, he said it had progressed significantly, but much remained to be done. The good news, however, was that the opportunities he saw as secretary of state in the East Mediterranean remained and that the region's location and infrastructure presented substantial economic opportunities, creating a lot of job openings and prosperity.

The former State Department official expressed the hope that Turkey's president will follow the path of dialogue, noting that his expectation carried over from his days as secretary of state.

He also expressed the hope that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan manages the economic challenges he faces and becomes a good partner in the region and NATO, which is within his power to do so.

Asked to comment about Turkey's interest in purchasing F-16s from the US, Pompeo said he tried to stay out of politics and underlined that the United States had an excellent collaboration with Greece and Cyprus. At the same time, NATO also played a key role.

Responding to a question on legal issues that US Senator Robert Menendez is facing, the former US official said that justice would resolve the case, as the claims are grave when a high-level American official is charged with financial irregularities.

Pompeo was also expected to participate in a panel discussion on external threats to the region's economic growth and stability.

The Joseph Sassoon Group is a multinational investment bank active in Cyprus and interested in promoting American investments in the Mediterranean region. The Forum serves to bring together entrepreneurs and investors, as well as government officials.

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