Pyatt at Southeast Europe Energy Forum: ‘Energy issues a driver for cooperation rather than conflict’

US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt expressed his optimism that “we’re going to be able to transform energy issues, even in the Eastern Mediterranean, to being a driver of cooperation rather than conflict, speaking at the AmCham’s Southeast Europe Energy Forum at Thessaloniki on Friday. 

Speaking on the imminent visit of US State Secretary Mike Pompeo to Cyprus, Pyatt said that “he is going to be very clear about the United States’ commitment to continued leadership, continued engagement, working with our European allies, and emphasizing the need to bring differences back to the diplomatic table and eliminate the situation which exists today, where there’s a real risk of accidental military escalation.”

Pointing up the significance of regional alliances, he said he feels “extremely proud of how much we’ve accomplished in the 3+1 relationship between Greece, Israel, Cyprus, and the United States.” 
“It’s no exaggeration to say that energy is one of the most important and strongest pillars of the US-Greece strategic relationship,” the Ambassador highlighted.