“Greece and Turkey reached the brink of conflict in the summer of 2020 and we needed to ‘work hard to help prevent things from getting out of hand,'” he said. in Kathimerini the outgoing US ambassador to Athens, Jeffrey Payat, noting that the scene was more dramatic than what was shown in the media.
According to Payat, “you heard US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo say we thought this was a very serious crisis and we worked hard to help keep things out of control. Conditions today are much better, despite the ongoing unacceptable activities“The arrogance, the rhetorical exaggerations, the foolish statements about challenging the sovereignty of the islands, which from the American side is indisputable.”
“The strategic landscape around the Aegean, the Black Sea, Asia Minor has changed dramatically since February 24, and I think the developments in Ukraine make it more important for the US to do what it can to ensure that Turkey will behave as a good NATO ally towards all its neighbors. “This is not the time for distractions, whether created by politics, rhetoric or military maneuvers.”
Regarding security guarantees, the outgoing US ambassador to Athens points out that “there is Article 5. “You have heard from President Biden a very clear commitment to this and a willingness to provide American forces, equipment and funds to strengthen and defend this guarantee.”
Asked if it could be implemented “even if the threat comes from within the Alliance”, Mr. Payat notes that “Article 5 is the basic foundation of everything we do in terms of our security relationship with Greece and NATO.”
In view of her of the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Washington During the meeting with Joe Biden, Mr. Payat stated that he knew how important this invitation was for the US President himself, as well as for the entire US government, which deeply appreciates its relationship with Greece.
He added that they would discuss, among other things, the ongoing efforts with allies and partners to support the Ukrainian people and impose financial sanctions on Russia for its unprovoked invasion, energy security and cooperation with Greece on natural gas.
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