U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo advocated for political stability in the Eastern Mediterranean in a press conference on Wednesday.
The Secretary urged Greece and Turkey to reduce tensions in the region and to aim for productive dialogue.
Pompeo’s remarksĀ come one day after the decision by the U.S. to end its 33-year embargo on non-lethal weapons to the Republic of Cyprus. Turkey has heavily criticized the act, possibly putting President Trump’s once warm relationship with Turkish President Erdogan in jeopardy.
The surprise announcement came by way of an unscheduled phone call between Cypriot President Anastasiades and Secretary Pompeo.
The State Department insists that the decision has little to do with the recent tensions between Greece and Turkey.
U.S. national security interests and increased cooperation between the U.S. and Cyprus were cited as the forces behind this historic decision, in which the sale and delivery of “non-lethal” military equipment to Cyprus will once again be made legal for the duration of one year.
After that time, the decision will be revisited and reevaluated.
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