U.S. Relationship With Greece at All-Time High, Pompeo Says
U.S. Relationship With Greece at All-Time High, Pompeo Says
(Bloomberg) -- Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said relations between the U.S. and Greece are the closest they’ve ever been after meeting with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at his home on the island of Crete.
“The relationship between our two countries is at an all-time high. It’s getting stronger,” Pompeo said at a press conference Tuesday following further talks at the Souda Bay naval base. The ties are “closer than ever,” Mitsotakis said.
Pompeo announced that the U.S.S. Herschel Woody Williams, an expeditionary vessel that provides a base for combat operations, will be permanently stationed at the base.
“It’s literally the perfect choice in light of the facility’s strategic location and it’s symbolic of a defense partnership that will continue to expand and to grow,” Pompeo said.
The decision gives a boost to Mitsotakis as he prepares for talks with Turkey over their competing territorial claims in the eastern Mediterranean. Pompeo urged Greece and Turkey, both NATO allies of the U.S., to hold talks as soon as possible to ease the tensions that flared over the summer. Mitsotakis said it is time for dialogue.
“I am moderately optimistic that now it is the turn of diplomacy,” the Greek leader said, welcoming the U.S. decision to boost its naval deployment in Crete.
“Souda is emerging as the most strategic point of the wider region,” he said. “This is where the interests of our two countries meet, but also those of security and peace.”
©2020 Bloomberg L.P.