Page 55 - BNE_magazine_06_2019

bne June 2019 Eurasia I 55
unexpectedly on May 13 to meet with European officials to discuss the worsening situation in the Gulf.
Pompeo, who was initially set to fly to Moscow had his plane rerouted so that he could meet for talks with the officials prior to an official meeting with Vladi- mir Putin, now rescheduled to the Black Sea Russian resort of Sochi for May 14.
Pompeo’s visit to EU headquarters appeared to catch officials off-guard. According to the Financial Times, High
Journalist Laurence Norman, who is based in Brussels, tweeted:
A senior European diplo tells me @ SecPompeo came to Brussels for a photo op – Europe and US stand against Iran. "He wanted a photo op. We declined and stuck to the plan." #Iran #EU @ FedericaMog
Pompeo was also planning to meet Nato officials to discuss details of why the US claims the threat level from Iran is rising. Last week, Washington
“The US is attempting to strangle Iran’s oil exports by threatening secondary sanctions against any willing buyers”
Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said: "We were told during the night that he was planning to change his travel plans and have a stopover here in Brussels... We will be here all day with a busy agenda so we will see during the day how and if we manage to arrange a meeting. He is always welcome obviously, but there are no precise plans for the moment."
Some EU officials were reportedly scath- ing in describing the surprise stopover.
announced the deployment of an aircraft carrier battle group and a B-52 bomber task force to the Gulf to counter what US officials claimed were "clear indications" of threats from Iran to
US interests or its allies in the region.
Tehran described the statement as "nonsense" and said the US was using its military to engage in "psychological warfare" alongside its sanctions regime designed to force Iran to the table to negotiate Middle East policy concessions.
COUNTRY REPORTS
Check out IntelliNews
Pro’s Country Reports covering the 30 countries in Central & Eastern Europe/Commonwealth of Independent States.
A monthly round up of the most important economic, finance, business and political events, the reports are aimed at busy professional investors and companies that need to keep on top of the story.
To subscribe to the reports delivered by email get in touch with our sales staff for a trial.
T. +44 203 633 2008
E. sales@intellinews.com
Or go to bne.eu/welcome to see samples of this and other products.
Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman is one of the UAE's little-known emirates. Pictured is Old Dibba Port.
www.bne.eu