US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias as tensions between Greece and Turkey increased.
"The United States and Greece shared views on the eastern Mediterranean and reaffirmed their belief that maritime delimitation issues should be resolved peacefully," the two countries said in a joint statement after Mr Pompeo met with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.
Greece and the US, the statement said, "reiterated their dedication to enhancing their close cooperation as Nato allies, using all appropriate means at their disposal, in order to safeguard stability and security in the wider region." Relations between Greece and neighboring Turkey deteriorated sharply this year over disputed maritime boundaries and exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean.
Arriving on Monday, Mr Pompeo stressed the importance of US relations with Greece and their shared views.
“Thrilled to be back in Greece, a vital US partner with whom we share a common strategic vision. The strength of our bilateral relationship is at an all-time high, and I’m looking forward to a productive visit,” he wrote on social media.
A dispute between Greece and Turkey over maritime borders and exploration rights in resource-rich waters in the eastern Mediterranean boiled over this year.
The two Nato allies have come close to direct confrontation after Turkey sent research vessel Oruc Reis into Greek waters with half a dozen warships. Greece responded by mobilising the bulk of its fleet.
While the Oruc Reis has now withdrawn, easing tensions, Turkey’s dispute with both Greece and Cyprus over the waters continued.
Nicosia has a separate dispute with Ankara over exploration rights in its waters.
The impositions of sanctions on Turkey by the EU, which has been drawn into the disagreement, have been wrangled over for weeks in Brussels.
Prior to his trip to the Greek city of Thessaloniki on Monday, Mr Pompeo spoke to Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg about Greece and Turkey.
Nato has hosted discussions between the two nations at a technical level in recent weeks.
"Pleased to speak today with Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to discuss de-escalation of the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and reiterate the importance of Nato alliance unity," Mr Pompeo tweeted on Sunday.
Mr Pompeo’s visit to Greece’s most populous city and then to Crete to visit the Souda Bay naval base has irritated Turkey.
The waters between Crete and Cyprus lie at the heart of the dispute.
Earlier this month, Turkey said the United States needed to return to a neutral stance on Cyprus, after Washington and Nicosia signed an agreement to open a training centre.
During a visit to Cyprus, which also provoked discontent, Mr Pompeo said that the United States would lift a 33-year arms embargo on Cyprus and improve its security co-operation with Nicosia.
The eastern Mediterranean island was split in a Turkish invasion in 1974 triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup. Only Ankara recognises the self-declared government in the north of the country.
Mr Pompeo is the first US secretary of state to visit Thessaloniki. The stop is the first leg of a five-day trip to Europe, which includes visits to Italy, the Vatican and Croatia.
During his visit to Thessaloniki, the US diplomat also signed a bilateral science and technology agreement, as well as hosting energy sector business leaders for a discussion to highlight diversification and infrastructure projects in Greece. He will also join members of the city's Jewish community to commemorate Yom Kippur.
The biog
Place of birth: Kalba
Family: Mother of eight children and has 10 grandchildren
Favourite traditional dish: Al Harees, a slow cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled cracked or coarsely ground wheat mixed with meat or chicken
Favourite book: My early life by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah
Favourite quote: By Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, “Those who have no past will have no present or future.”
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Zidane's managerial achievements
La Liga: 2016/17
Spanish Super Cup: 2017
Uefa Champions League: 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
Uefa Super Cup: 2016, 2017
Fifa Club World Cup: 2016, 2017
Overall standings
1. Christopher Froome (GBR/Sky) 68hr 18min 36sec,
2. Fabio Aru (ITA/AST) at 0:18.
3. Romain Bardet (FRA/ALM) 0:23.
4. Rigoberto Uran (COL/CAN) 0:29.
5. Mikel Landa (ESP/SKY) 1:17.
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The bio
Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions
School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira
Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk
Dream City: San Francisco
Hometown: Dubai
City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala
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Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
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Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
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“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
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- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
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The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
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- Premier League-standard football pitch
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