Strategic Council Online - Opinion: With the holding of the national elections in Greece on May 21, although the winning party announced priorities of its future government to be mainly improvement of the economic situation, the continuation of the national policy in foreign relations, security, and immigration would be most important challenges for this EU and NATO member country. Although the new leaders defend the continuation of the foreign and defense policy, strengthening of the country's armed forces, creation of solid alliances, and development of the weapons program over the past four years, they differ in the field of energy exploration, the militarization of some islands in the Aegean Sea, and the issue of refugees. Mahmoud Fazeli – International Affairs analyst
After the Greek elections, relations with Turkey will be at the top of the country’s foreign policy. After the Turkish elections, the Greek leaders respected the Turkish people’s vote. They were ready to enter into a dialogue with whoever the Turkish people chose in the second round. Still, they do not hide their concerns about Turkey’s revisionism, which is raised through the “Blue Homeland” doctrine, and its effects can be seen in the slogans of all Turkish parties. Athens is ready to talk with Ankara on the only issue between the two countries: the “delimitation of maritime zones.”
The evidence shows that after holding the elections in both countries, a serious dialogue will begin to resolve the differences between them. According to the Greek authorities, Turkey’s behavior has changed at all levels. Turkey has not violated Greek airspace and had no flight activity in the Aegean sky.
Greece is apparently not surprised by the result of the first round of Turkish elections. The opposition, which according to most Westerners, was on the verge of coming to power, did not have the real capability reflected in the polls and the wishes of the Westerners. Greece is ready to cooperate with whoever the Turkish people choose on May 28. But it hopes that the positive atmosphere created in the relations between the two countries after the earthquake will continue so that the parties can agree on the differences between the parties in the maritime areas. The solution of the only disputed issue between Greece and Turkey based on international law will be the most significant objective of Greek foreign policy. The solution of the issue in question will lead to the maximum use of the two countries capacities.
The foreign minister of Greece, who considers the possibility of Erdogan’s re-election as a divine gift for the entire region, simultaneously believes that Greece can deal with any pressure. He states, ‘As long as there is the necessary will in Greece and Turkey, the two countries can reach an agreement, and there is no need for external pressure.’
Regarding holding elections in Turkey, Greece wants a Western-oriented, democratic neighbor with a strong economy and no financial crisis. From the point of view of Athens, this country’s approach towards Turkey after the earthquake in that country has created a “window of opportunity.’ Since there is currently no tension and violation of air and maritime space, flying over the territory and aggressive rhetoric to the new governments of both countries allows them to enter into a dialogue about the only point of their disagreement.
Greece believes that the traditional tensions with Ankara will not be resolved easily, and the probability of success is very weak, but it is trying to continue the atmosphere that has been created in relations today. Greece’s main precondition for dialogue with Turkey is to avoid violating the air and maritime space, flying over the territory, and avoiding aggressive rhetoric.
Another critical challenge for Greece is the de-escalation of relations with Albania. In the past, relations between Greece and Albania have also been affected by the situation of the Greek minority in that country. According to Athens, the Albanian government constantly seeks to confiscate property belonging to the Greek minority. The new round of such tensions, which began with the arrest of a member of the Greek minority residing in Albania and the mayoral candidate for “Himarë” by the Albanian security agents, made the tension between Athens and Tirana more obvious once again. Greece has warned that if Albania wants to get closer to the European Union, it must guarantee the holding of free elections and release the detainees immediately. From the point of view of Athens, Albania should know that Greece and the European Union will not compromise on issues such as the rule of law and the protection of the rights of the Greek minority.
The “Himarë” town in Albania has recently become a field of competition between the political forces of Albania and the economic centers related to them because Himarë is located in the heart of the tourist region of the country. In Athens, it is emphasized that what is presented as a violation of Albanian laws by the authorities of this country was nothing but a targeted and hidden political persecution in the May 14 municipal elections.
Greece claims that the arrest of the municipal candidates two days before the election is not the rule of law, and the court’s decision for this arrest shows a complete reversal of the rules of equality in the municipal elections of Himarë, the most important center of the Greek national minority in Albania. Athens warns that the court’s decision will have consequences on the relations between the European Union and Albania because the adherence of candidate countries to European regulations and the principles of the rule of law is a prerequisite for the path of those countries towards Europe, and Albania does not follow the European approach in practice.
The minister of development and investment of Greece describes this arrest as the most hostile action of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama against Greece and believes that the action taken by Albania is the most hostile action against Greece and the biggest reason for the impossibility of Albania’s membership in the European Union. This action means a violation of democratic rules by Albania, and if Tirana does not withdraw its decision, it will face serious consequences.
Following these tensions, the Albanian foreign minister claimed they could not understand how ‘Our Greek friends have the right to question the decision of the Albanian court. The accused has been arrested for criminal activities against free and fair elections. It is not understood how his Greek nationality can exempt him from fulfilling his duties as an Albanian citizen before the law. Albania describes the rhetoric of the Greek government and political parties as extreme.
Another problem of the new Greek government is the situation of illegal immigrants in that country. Illegal immigration to Greece is a complex issue that has created differences and tensions between the supporters of human rights and the country’s national security. Evidence shows that the future prime minister is defending the expansion of the border fence with Turkey to keep illegal refugees out of Greek soil and increasing deportations of illegal immigrants by 15 percent a year. Supporters of the border fence believe that fencing the borders is effective in curbing illegal immigration. Greece has implemented new measures against illegal immigration, including strengthening border controls, distinguishing between economic migrants and real refugees, and controlling migrant centers in the country.
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