US Secretary Pompeo visits US naval base in Greece

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited a US naval base at Souda Bay on the southern Greek island of Crete Tuesday, ahead of a meeting with Greece's prime minister on the second day of his trip to the country.

Pompeo began his five-day regional tour in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki, where he met with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and discussed issues including a recent severe escalation in tension between Greece and Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean.

Pompeo said Washington will use its diplomatic and military influence in the region to try to ease the volatile dispute over maritime boundaries and energy exploration rights between the two neighbours and NATO allies.

Greek-Turkish relations deteriorated sharply this year, leading to fears the dispute could lead to open conflict.

Turkey sent a research vessel, accompanied by warships, to prospect for energy resources in an area Greece claims is on its own continental shelf and where it claims exclusive economic rights. Athens sent warships of its own to the area.

European Union members are to discuss potentially imposing sanctions on Turkey for its actions later this week.

However, tension has eased somewhat in recent days, and Pompeo welcomed a decision by both sides to restart exploratory talks, saying maritime disputes should be solved through dialogue, not demonstrations of power.

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