Washington, DC.- (GreekNewsOnline)

In an August 4 letter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Matthew Palmer, who responded at the request of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to a July 22 letter sent by Supreme President George G. Horiates about Turkey’s provocations in the Aegean conveyed the United States’ “deep concern.” Palmer stated, “We continue to urge Turkish authorities to halt these activities and to avoid steps that raise tensions in the region. We fully agree that a conflict between two NATO Allies must be avoided.”

Deputy Assistant Secretary Palmer also addressed the issue raised by Supreme President Horiates of sanctioning Turkey under existing U.S. law, stating, “The Administration continues to object strenuously to Turkey’s S-400 purchase.” Palmer cited Turkey’s suspension and pending removal from the F-35 program as a further response to Turkey’s acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 missile system.

“We sincerely thank the State Department, and specifically Deputy Assistant Secretary Palmer, for responding in great detail to AHEPA’s concerns about Turkey’s aggression toward Greece and its overall behavior in the region,” Horiates said. “However, given Turkey’s renewed provocations in the Aegean this week, we urge the State Department to send a stronger message to Turkey that unequivocally condemns Turkey’s actions that escalate tensions and unnecessarily places lives in harm’s way. Turkey must be held accountable.”

PALMER’S LETTER

The full text of Matthew Palmer’s letter is as follows:

George G. Horiates, Esq

AHEPA President

1909 Q StNW

Washington, DC 20009

Dear Mr. Horiates:

Thank you for your letter to Secretary Pompeo, dated July 22, 2020. The Secretary asked me to respond on his behalf.

As we have said publicly, the United States is deeply concerned by Turkey’s announced intention to survey for natural resources in areas of the Eastern Mediterranean over which Greece asserts jurisdiction. We continue to urge Turkish authorities to halt these activities and to avoid steps that raise tensions in the region. We fully agree that a conflict between two NATO Allies must be avoided. In our view, resource development in the Eastern Mediterranean should promote cooperation and provide a foundation for durable energy security and economic prosperity throughout the region.

As you correctly noted, the United States’ view is that under international law as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, islands generally generate an EEZ and continental shelf to the same extent as any other land territory. The United States generally does not take a position on other states’ maritime boundary disputes, which is the term used to describe a situation in which the maritime claims of two or more states overlap. However, we consider Turkey’s actions in the Eastern Mediterranean, including its July 21 notification of survey activity in the Eastern Mediterranean, unhelpful and provocative and we have made that clear in both public and private. As a matter of longstanding policy, we encourage states to resolve their disputes peacefully in accordance with international law.

The Administration continues to object strenuously to Turkey’s S-400 purchase. Our suspension and pending removal of Turkey from the F-35 program in response to the S-400 acquisition signals the seriousness of the Administration’s approach to this issue and our willingness to impose consequences. We are deeply concerned with reports that Turkey is continuing its effOlis to operationalize the S-400, and we have stressed that this issue remains a major obstacle in the bilateral relationship and at NATO. We are confident that President Erdogan and his senior officials understand our position.

Thank you for the important role the Order of AHEPA plays in strengthening U.s.-Greece bilateral relations, which are at a generational high. From our continued close cooperation with Athens on energy, highlighted by U.S. Development Finance Corporation President Adam Boehler’s commitment to advancing our energy partnership with Greece, to the recent arrival of the 101st Airborne Combat

Aviation Brigade at the Port of Alexandroupoli to begin a training deployment in Europe, we have many successes to celebrate in U.S.-Greece relations. As Secretary Pompeo has noted, Greece is a pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, and we will continue our efforts to further strengthen this critical

relationship.