Turkey’s actions “provocative, unhelpful, and raise tensions”

NO. 102

WASHINGTON, DC — The United States has conveyed to Turkey that its actions in the Eastern Mediterranean are “provocative, unhelpful, and raise tensions in the region” as stated in a letter written by Acting Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Ambassador Philip T. Reeker to American Hellenic Institute (AHI) President Nick Larigakis.  President Larigakis wrote to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on June 25, 2020 to convey the Institute’s grave concern about Turkey’s demonstrated willingness to cause instability in the Eastern Mediterranean and called on the United States to have a more active presence there to safeguard U.S. interests and to avoid a potential crisis.

 “As the head of the State Department’s European and Eurasian Bureau, Ambassador Reeker’s time, focus, and perspective on the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean are appreciated and they carry significant weight,” Larigakis said. “We thank Ambassador Reeker for addressing our concerns in detail, and we will continue to work with State Department officials on our policy issues with regard to United States relations with Greece and Cyprus as well as Turkey’s aggression in the region.”

Ambassador Reeker’s letter addresses U.S. bilateral relations with Greece and Cyprus, the United States’ view of the Eastern Mediterranean and tensions between Greece and Turkey and the United States’ objective to address the tensions; and the Administration’s position on Turkey’s purchase of the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system.

Read: Ambassador Reeker’s Letter to AHI

Read: AHI’s June 25 press release