Jonathan Cohen, U.S. State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, essentially admitted that the US was working to avoid conflict between Greece and Turkey. According to mignatiou.com website, Mr. Cohen said a war between Greece and Turkey was not in the interest of NATO during his address in a Congress at a special event organised by he Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC). The US top diplomat met with HALC Executive Director Endy Zemenides about the rise in tensions between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean, Cyprus and other regional issues. Mr. Cohen pointed out the significance of US Naval Base at Souda Bay in Crete.