The US Position On the EEZ and Greek-Turkish Relations

credit mignatiou.com

Washington correspondent for Cyprus and Greek affairs, Michael Ignatiu noted in one of his articles on his website at the weekend that the Americans are opposed to provocations in the Aegean, which he notes almost always begin by the government of Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and are apparently ready to engage on matters relating to declaration of exclusive economic zones, in the framework of avoiding tension between Greece and Turkey.

Ignatiu says that the US supports the right of all countries, including Greece and Cyprus, to develop their energy resources. Washington feels that both Athens and Nicosia should support cooperation in the energy sector such as that of the agreement between Cyprus and Tel Aviv -as well as with other countries regions. (Do they mean Turkey? Obviously they do!)

The Washington reporter then quoted a spokesman from the US State Department who told the "To Ethnos" daily that the US supports stability in the Aegean and the development of energy resources in the eastern Mediterranean. According to Ignatiu, the US spokesman said that both objectives are in the national interest of both countries (Greece and Turkey), and these objectives require constructive engagement between both nations.

    "We applaud the efforts of the Greek and Turkish governments that are aimed at improving relations and solving outstanding differences that recently surfaced at a high-level meeting of the Cooperation Council in Istanbul. We are opposed to any provocative action and support the commitment of both countries to continue to participate in dialogue, which has proven effective at reducing tensions and paved the way towards mutually beneficial initiatives. "

While reiterating a statement by former Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Philip Gordon, who said during his visit to Athens last July, the same spokesman from Washington told "To Ethnos" that:

   "While the United States recognizes the rights of countries to declare their exclusive economic zones, we believe it is important to avoid unilateral measures. We encourage Greece and its neighbors to use bilateral channels that are related to their neighbors to ensure that any actions in these fields are in the interest of all parties."

(In other words, Washington is telling Athens that it has to share the wealth with Turkey. Simple as that.)

Igantiu then reveals that American Secretary of State John Kerry held talks with the Turkish leadership in Constantinopole recently on matters relating to energy sources in the Mediterranean, as well as the Cyprus issue. Ignatiu notes that it is not known whether or not the US diplomat also discussed the issue of Greece's EEZ with the Ankara government.

Reference in Greek - mignatiou.com