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Pompeo Urges Greece, Turkey to Resume Talks Over Territorial Spat

VOA News

   U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on NATO allies Greece and
   Turkey Tuesday to resume talks as soon as possible to settle an
   increasingly contentious maritime territorial dispute in the
   Mediterranean Sea.
   The two countries, which are at odds over multiple issues, have agreed
   to exploratory negotiations regarding an area in the eastern
   Mediterranean where their warships faced off last month.
   Turkey sent a research vessel that was accompanied by warships to
   search for possible oil and gas drilling in an area that Greece claims
   territorial and economic rights. Greece responded by sending warships
   to the area and putting its military on alert, fueling fears of
   conflict.
   Turkey has since recalled the ship, saying the move would clear the way
   for more talks before a two-day European Union summit that begins on
   Oct. 1. EU members will address the territorial disagreement and also
   discuss possible sanctions against Turkey that have been demanded by
   Cyprus, Greece and France.
   "We hope that these talks can continue in a serious way," Pompeo said,
   following a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on
   the island of Crete. "[We] encourage them to resume discussion of these
   issues as soon as possible."

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