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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