US Senators, Congressmen call on Pompeo to press Turkey over East Med

Two US Senators and two members of Congress have urged US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to pressure Turkey into calling off its drilling plans in the eastern Mediterranean.

"By sending the survey ship Oruc Reis with armed escort into areas over which Greece and Cyprus assert jurisdiction, Turkey risks an escalation that endangers American strategic interests. We urge you to make it clear to the Erdogan government that continuing this course of action will further create challenges to regional cooperation and US-Turkey relations," said Congress Members Ted Deutch and Gus Bilirakis in a letter to Pompeo dated Aug. 13.

Describing the rising tensions in the region after Ankara decided to sent the survey ship Oruc Reis with armed escort south of Kastellorizo, the two Congressmen called for action.

"We urge you to be clear that Turkey must cease its provocations in...