Pompeo, NATO chief talk Mediterranean tensions
ATHENS, Greece — U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is due to arrive in Greece on an official visit early Monday, had a conversation over the weekend with NATO Secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg on tensions in the eastern Mediterranean.
“Pleased to speak today with NATO Secretary General @jensstoltenberg to discuss de-escalation of the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and reiterate the importance of NATO Alliance unity,” Pompeo tweeted while en route to Greece.
Relations between NATO members Greece and Turkey, always tense, have further deteriorated this year over long-standing disputes, including maritime boundaries and energy rights. France has been vocal in its support for Greece and Greek calls for European Union sanctions.
Pompeo was due to arrive in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, shortly after midnight Sunday on the first leg of a five-day trip to
Europe that includes visits to Italy, the Vatican and Croatia. This is is the first visit by a U.S. secretary of state to Thessaloniki.
According to State Department background briefings, Pompeo will meet with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias to renew the two countries’ shared commitment to advance security, peace and prosperity in the eastern Mediterranean and celebrate the strongest U.S.Greek relationship in decades.
The U.S. secretary of state will depart Greece early Wednesday for Rome.