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November 2022
Bernd
French
Home > Greece: "new bridge" between Europe and the Middle East?
Nowadays, much of the news focuses on the relationship between the European Union (EU) and Turkey, especially in relation to the EU's foreign policy in the Middle East. Indeed, for geopolitical reasons, Turkey was and still is considered a vital partner for the European Union[1]. However, there is little focus in the news on the role of member states in geopolitics. As an example, we can name the case of Greece[2].
Straddling the Balkans, North Africa and Asia, Greece is geographically very well situated and remains attractive to many investors. However, it faces great rivalry with Turkey, led by Erdogan, and its allies[3]. Even Western Europe is concerned about this, especially following the recent fact that French ships were patrolling with Greek ships in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean[4].
In recent years, in order to counterbalance Turkish influence, Greece had increased its contacts with its neighbours, especially with countries that have difficult relations with Turkey. Apart from Cyprus and Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had established numerous military alliances with Greece, and military exercises had become frequent over the years[5]. Several official meetings and regional summits have been organised. The most recent ones include the PHILIA Forum in Athens in February 2021[6]and the Paphos (Cyprus) Summit in April 2021[7]. Greek officials had also increased contacts with their Bahraini, Jordanian, Palestinian and Iraqi counterparts[8]. Even in Damascus, the Greek embassy was recently reopened[9].
In the current context that Turkey is increasingly turning towards the East, mainly Russia and Iran[10]In the light of this, we must more than necessarily question the role of the EU member states in geopolitics, especially in order to provide the European level with room for manoeuvre against both their rivals and partners[11] . Given that even the United States has deepened relations with Greece[12]In addition, it is possible to ask whether Greece has become a new bridge between Europe and the Middle East.
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[1] ÇETIN, Şerife, ÇETINKAYA, Behlül, TARHAN, Muhammet, YÜZBAŞIOĞLU, Nazlı, "Von der Leyen: "We came to Ankara to revitalise our relations with Turkey"", Anadolu Agency. URL : https://www.aa.com.tr/fr/monde/von-der-leyen-nous-sommes-venus-%C3%A0-ankara-pour-revitaliser-nos-relations-avec-la-turquie-/2200144, publié le 6.04.2021, consulté le 21.09.2021.
[2] "N. Dendias: Greece is a bridge of cooperation between Europe - Middle East and the Gulf", Athina 984. URL: https://www.athina984.gr/en/2021/05/22/n-dendias-i-ellada-gefyra-synergasias-metaxy-eyropis-m-anatolis-kai-kolpoy/, published on 22.05.2021, accessed on 21.09.2021.
[3] POMMIERS, Eléa, "Why Greece and Turkey clash in the Eastern Mediterranean", The World. URL: https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2020/09/14/pourquoi-la-grece-et-la-turquie-s-affrontent-en-mediterranee-orientale_6052162_3210.html, published on 14.09.2020, accessed on 21.09.2021.
[4] DE BEAUJON, Clara, "Tensions between Greece and Turkey: France deploys two fighters and two ships", Paris Match. URL: https://www.parismatch.com/Actu/International/Tensions-entre-la-Grece-et-la-Turquie-la-France-deploie-deux-chasseurs-et-deux-navires-1698480, published on 13.08.2020, accessed on 21.09.2021.
[5] NTOUSAS, Vassilis, "Greece in the eastern Mediterranean: Turning engagement into influence", European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).URL: https://ecfr.eu/article/greece-in-the-eastern-mediterranean-turning-engagement-into-influence/, published on 2.07.2021, accessed on 21.09.2021.
[6]ANTONOPOULOS, Paul, "Philia Forum put Greece in the centre of new transcontinental geopolitical order", Greek City Times. URL: https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/02/13/philia-forum-put-greece-in-the-center-of-new-transcontinental-geopolitical-order/, published on 13.02.2021; "Joint Declaration "Philia Forum" (Athens, 11.02.2021)", website of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. URL: https://www.mfa.gr/fr/actualite/discours/declaration-conjointe-forum-philia-athenes-11022021.html, published on 11.02.2021, accessed on 21.09.2021.
[7] "Statement by Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias after the meeting of the foreign ministers of Cyprus, Greece, Israel and the United Arab Emirates (Paphos, 16.04.2021)", website of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. URL: https://www.mfa.gr/fr/actualite/a-la-une/declaration-du-ministre-des-affaires-etrangeres-nikos-dendias-lissue-de-la-reunion-des-ministres-des-affaires-etrangeres-de-chypre-de-grece-disrael-et-des-emirats-arabes-unis-paphos-16042021.html, published on 16.04.2021; "Greece, Cyprus, Israel, UAE foreign ministers to meet in Paphos", Ekathimerini. URL: https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1159426/greece-cyprus-israel-uae-foreign-ministers-to-meet-in-paphos/, published on 15.04.2021, accessed on 21.09.2021.
[8] "Dendias meets with foreign dignitaries ahead of forum, Ekathimerini. URL: https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/262265/dendias-meets-with-foreign-dignitaries-ahead-of-forum/, published on 11.02.2021, accessed on 21.09.2021.
[9] ANTONOPOULOS, Paul, "Greece officially reopens embassy in Syria, Cyprus in the coming weeks", Greek City Times. URL: https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/06/24/greece-reopens-embassy-syria/, published on 24.06.2021, accessed on 21.09.2021.
[10] RAUFER, Xavier, "Russia-Turkey-Iran: the geopolitical triplet that has managed to profoundly change our world without our reacting", Atlantico. URL: https://www.atlantico.fr/article/decryptage/russie-turquie-iran--la-triplette-geopolitique-qui-a-reussi-a-profondement-changer-notre-monde-sans-que-nous-reagissions-vladimir-poutine-recep-tayyip-erodgan-diplomatie-xavier-raufer, published on 23.11.2020, accessed on 21.09.2021.
[11] HASKI, Pierre, "L'Europe face au défi turc: sommet méditerranéen aujourd'hui en Corse", France Inter. URL: https://www.franceinter.fr/emissions/geopolitique/geopolitique-10-septembre-2020, published on 10.09.2020, accessed on 21.09.2021.
[12] "US supports Greece despite Turkey's calls for neutrality in East Med tension, Daily Sabah. URL: https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/eu-affairs/us-supports-greece-despite-turkeys-calls-for-neutrality-in-east-med-tension, published on 25.09.2020, accessed on 10.09.2021.
