Greek-Turkish Relations

In a statement issued prior to Merkel’s arrival, German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said that the German government’s steadfast view is that [Greek-Turkish] problems can be resolved 'only with dialogue and in a spirit of mutual respect'.

The diplomacy of kicking the can down the road is not merely counter-productive. It is deleterious. The previously much-touted “status quo” no longer exists. What is needed now is a fighting spirit, decisiveness, and flexibility.

Erdogan's voters are repaid with nationalistic claptrap, with the aim of healing in this manner some of the economic wounds in the everyday life of Turkey’s citizens.

What did Europe learn from the pandemic? It learned that solidarity is measured in actions. When Italy was counting a huge number of deaths, Germany and Poland dispatched groups of doctors to treat patients.

For its part, the EU is pushing “in a gradual manner” its positive agenda (updating of the Customs Union, etc.) aiming, intera alia, at speeding up changes Ankara must undertake on many levels.

Over the last decades Greece and Turkey had alternating periods of lesser or greater tensions. Hence, a coldly calculated approach to diplomacy is one of the greatest advantages and the Greek side should cultivate it.

The two leaders reportedly discussed the migration-refugee issue and the Greek side underlined that the two countries can cooperate as long as the type of provocations we saw in March, 2020, are avoided.

Circumstances necessitate that we see this Summit as a restart of NATO, with Greece as an organic member, after the erratic Trump administration.

With a step-by-step approach, with clear dividing lines with neighbouring Turkey, and with the constant reminder that Greece is a Western country that is a regional pole of stability, we can achieve results.

The main obstacle to an understanding has been the fact that over the decades Ankara has vastly expanded its claims against Greece, ranging from territorial claims to Turkey’s efforts to encroach on Greece’s (and Cyprus’) EEZ.

The Turkish Foreign Minister talks to TO VIMA ahead of his meetings with Prime Minister Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister Dendias.

The leadership change in the US and the fluid situation in the Southeastern Mediterranean aggravated the problems posed by Erdogan and that creates the prospect of our country falling into a trap.

Though both sides have long declared publicly that they wish to resume talks, their views on the agenda and limits of such a dialogue are diametrically opposed.

American intervention can protect the status quo in the Eastern Mediterranean and effectively prod Greece and Turkey to return to the negotiating table on an equal footing,

Turkey was well aware of the cost to Greece of being on constant military alert and hoped that this would break Athens' resistance and force it to retreat and accept Ankara's claims.

Turkish President RecepTayyip Erdogan enjoyed a privileged relationship with Mr. Trump, who never hid his admiration for his Turkish counterpart.

It is evident that the German chancellor has no doubt that Ankara bears the main if not exclusive responsibility for the impasse in efforts to launch a Greek-Turkish dialogue.

Mr. Biden has a lot to do right off the bat for his  citizenry. He does not have a magic wand to deal with Greece and the new global realities.

Turkish militarism was entrenched after the revolution of the Young Turks. Earlier, the Germans, who traditionally supported the Turks, played a significant role in creating Turkish nationalism.

Recently Turkey’s interlocutors and allies have sent Ankara strongly critical signals such as having top officials visiting the region without going to Turkey.

If the Greek government plays its cards right and remains calm it can win over even those countries in the EU which at the previous summit refused to draft a list of possible sanctions against Turkey

The outcome of the election in Turkish-occupied Cyprus will have an impact beyond Cyprus and above all on the climate in Greek-Turkish relations.

The government must act very quickly to bolster the health system as aside from SARS-CoV-2 the winter will bring other healthcare challenges as well.

'This is the biggest economic crisis since 1929, but Greece, compared to other European countries, is performing not as bad as it was initially estimated,' the PM declared.

A main opposition party, Syriza, which constantly accuses the government over its handling of Greek-Turkish relations and says that the government does not want a unified national line is not serving the country and its interests.