Pentagon called Greece and Turkey for dialogue and reduction of tensions
Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder called on Turkey and Greece for dialogue and added that his country does not have any exercises in the Aegean Sea.
At the press conference, he commented on the protest note that Ankara sent to Washington regarding the American-made armored vehicles that Greece sent to the islands in the Aegean Sea.
A journalist from Anatolia asked for a comment on the protest note to Greece and the US after armored vehicles were sent to the two islands that have the status of demilitarized zones.
When asked if the U.S. has exercises or training in that area and what the U.S. response is to Turkey's protest, Ryder said there is no information that the U.S. is conducting exercises there.
- In general, Turkey and Greece are two important partners of NATO and we call on them to continue a constructive dialogue to reduce potential tensions, said the American general.
Commenting on Ankara's criticism of the US as contributing to tensions, he said that from the perspective of bilateral relations, Turkey is an extremely important NATO partner.
- We will continue to work closely with NATO partners, including Turkey, Ryder said.