Pompeo Pledges US Support to Ease Greece-Turkey Dispute

Pompeo Pledges US Support to Ease Greece-Turkey Dispute
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) and Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias speak during their meeting in the northern city of Thessaloniki, Greece, on Sept. 28, 2020. Giannis Papanikos/AP Photo
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THESSALONIKI, Greece—U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday that Washington will use its diplomatic and military influence in the region to try to ease a volatile dispute between NATO allies Greece and Turkey over energy rights in the eastern Mediterranean.

Pompeo began a five-day regional tour in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki, days after Greece and Turkey committed to restarting a diplomatic dialogue on the dispute that triggered a dangerous military build-up—and fears of military conflict—in the disputed maritime area over the summer.