The Americans, by habit, decided to “plant firewood” in the heated confrontation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
As “European Truth” reports with reference to Reuters and Turkish Anadolu, the U.S. partially lifted the multi-year arms embargo on the Republic of Cyprus; in Turkey, this step was called “incompatible with the spirit of allied relations” and suggested steps on its part.
“The Republic of Cyprus is a key partner in the Eastern Mediterranean. I am pleased to announce that we are deepening our security cooperation. We will lift restrictions on the sale of non-lethal protective weapons and services to the Republic of Cyprus in the next fiscal year”, – Mike Pompeo said Tuesday, September 2, announcing that the United States will partially lift the 33-year arms embargo on Cyprus and strengthen security cooperation with Nicosia.
The decision appeared against the background of considerable tension in relations between Greece and Turkey due to contradictory views on the length of their continental shelves where mainly Greek islands are located and Turkey’s intention to explore gas fields in disputed zones.