Reinforcing strategic cooperation with Greece and the Republic of Cyprus is “in the interest of the United States,” said Yuri Kim, the US State Department official for Greece, Cyprus and Turkey, in Washington DC on Tuesday.
Speaking at the 35th Session of the International Coordinating Committee, which bore the theme “Justice for Cyprus, Yuri Kim” Kim said the inaugural US-Greece Strategic Dialogue and the signing of a Statement of Intent with Cyprus was a foundation which will form the framework for upgrading US cooperation with the two countries.
Kim noted that the three sides can now work to implement all the “practical aspects” of the cooperation which they have agreed upon.
She said that a visit to Cyprus by Matthew Palmer, the Deputy Assistant Secretary in the US Department of State – Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, was taking place in this context.
She further noted that the EastMed Act and the removal of restrictions on the sale of US arms to Cyprus was an issue which had taken on symbolic significance and was therefore emotionally charged.
The senior State Department official also pointed to the importance of completing the next “practical steps” for cooperation, which have been decided on following an overall review of the Southeast Mediterranean region by US diplomats.
Commenting on Ankara’s decision to proceed with the acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile system, Kim said this was “problematic,” adding that Turkey hoped to avoid economic sanctions through a political decision made by US President Donald Trump.
She pointed out that the US has a law, known as CAATSA, and that its implementation was not optional, “which we have tried to explain to the Turkish side many times. Now, they may be betting on getting an exception due to the good relations between the two presidents. I am not sure that I would place that bet if I were in their place,” Kim said.
On Washington’s role in helping to ease tensions between Greece and Turkey, Kim said the State Department had shown quick reflexes, and pointed to an announcement calling on Turkey to call off a decision to begin drilling inside Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone.
This statement was issued “almost at once,” the official said, and was sufficiently forceful to satisfy Athens and Nicosia and be taken into account by those in Ankara who needed to hear it.
Outlining the US view, Kim explained that Washington sees that it has two key NATO allies in the East Mediterranean and, precisely for this reason, is making every possible effort to ease tensions and ensure that the two allies do not come into conflict. She added that it was necessary to use exceptional measures to avoid such an outcome.
In light of this, Washington is seeking to play a constructive mediatory role which encourages communication and the effort to establish confidence-building measures between the two countries, Kim said.
“This is why we have so strongly supported the steps taken by Greek governments, some to a greater degree than others, for rapprochement with Ankara,” she added, noting that Washington had done the same on the Turkish side, pushing for a “sincere” rapprochement with Greece.
Kim noted that Greek Defense Minister Evangelos Apostolakis, who had played a central role in these efforts, will be coming to Washington this week. She also acknowledged that there was “a lot of skepticism and cynicism on the ground” concerning the CBMs, but she stressed the need to continue the effort.
Kim noted that the US will continue to put pressure on both sides to avoid a clash between the two allies.
Asked whether she feared an incident occurring between the two sides, Kim said she considered this outcome unlikely.
Source: AMNA
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