Editorial To Vima: The sanctions against Turkey and us
Whether one likes it or not, Turkey holds the key to managing the refugee issue and it is in a position to use it to blackmail whenever it feels cornered.
It is reasonable for the Greek government to express its satisfaction with the sanctions that the EU decided to impose on Turkey in response to its attempted illegal gas and oil drilling in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus.
It is the first time in quite a while that the EU has decided to take such action against a candidate country.
Without underestimating the action, it would be well to be cognisant of Europe’s limits in dealing with Turkey.
The sanctions that were decided do not appear to have very much troubled the Erdogan regime, which is not especially interested in coming closer to Europe.
Turkey’s government has on a daily basis been acting as a disruptive and unpredictable ally.
After the failed 2016 coup against him, Erdogan’s decisions have completely undermined Turkey’s EU course.
He has imposed a regime that constantly violates and tramples upon fundamental EU principles pertaining to human rights and freedom of speech.
Erdogan has chosen a similar rift with Nato with his decision, incomprehensible to many, to purchase Russian S-400 missile systems.
Despite his constant shifts and outbursts, the West and Europe especially cannot afford to sever ties with him.
Whether one likes it or not, Turkey holds the key to managing the refugee issue and it is in a position to use it to blackmail whenever it feels cornered.
With anti-migration rhetoric growing sharper in an ever greater number of European countries, the EU is forced to balance between international and EU law and various interests.
The energy game in the Eastern Mediterranean will clearly be protracted.
It would be utopian for one to believe that Turkey will set aside its demands without getting a share of the pie.
Consequently, the Greek side must remain constantly vigilant, strengthening its broader alliances until such time that a basis of understanding for resolving this intractable problem can be found.
- Προθεσμία για την Τρίτη πήρε ο γιος της Ελένης Παπαδοπούλου – Τα ευρήματα που «έδεσαν» την υπόθεση
- Στεγαστική κρίση: Τα… «άσφαιρα» μέτρα, η φωτιά στα υλικά και τα σπίτια που μίκρυναν – Ο Γολγοθάς ενός ενοικιαστή
- Θέατρα: Κλειστά το Σάββατο 27 Δεκεμβρίου, λόγω απεργίας του Σ.Ε.Η
- Εφιαλτική νύχτα των Χριστουγέννων για μια γυναίκα στην Αταλάντη – Σκύλος τη δάγκωσε και της έκοψε δύο δάχτυλα
- Γαύδος: Διάσωση 361 αλλοδαπών από το Λιμενικό
- «Κινείται για τον Αντράντε ο ΠΑΟΚ…»
- Ελένη Παπαδοπούλου: Στην Ευελπίδων ο γιος της που συνελήφθη για τη δολοφονία της – Όταν έλεγε ότι «ήταν ατύχημα από τσιγάρο»
- Νέα Αριστερά για τη λογοκρισία στη Φλώρινα: Μας γυρίζουν στον Μεσαίωνα του Καντιώτη
![Χρυσή βίζα: Μειώνονται οι αιτήσεις – Γιατί φρενάρει η ζήτηση [πίνακες]](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/golden-visa-768x516-1-1-300x300.jpg)
Ακολουθήστε το in.gr στο Google News και μάθετε πρώτοι όλες τις ειδήσεις
![Άκρως Ζωδιακό: Τα Do’s και Don’ts στα ζώδια σήμερα [Πέμπτη 25.12.2025]](https://www.in.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/evgeni-tcherkasski-bE4C_M7M4xY-unsplash-1-315x220.jpg)
![Χρυσή βίζα: Μειώνονται οι αιτήσεις – Γιατί φρενάρει η ζήτηση [πίνακες]](https://www.in.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ot_golden_visa24_1-1200x703-315x220.jpg)
Αριθμός Πιστοποίησης Μ.Η.Τ.232442