Thanos Dokos – The role of Greece in the wider region
August 6, 2009 |
Dokos Thanos
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2 Comments
The views expressed here are those of the author
We were annoyed by Obama’s visit to Turkey, without a similar stop-over to Athens – obviously forgetting that after the welcome we reserved for President Clinton, future American Presidents will not show particular willingness to visit Greece.
We were unhappily surprised by Turkey’s strategic upgrade in Washington’s plans.
Obviously we didn’t give enough attention to Ankara’s methodical effort – especially in the last two years – to develop into an accepted mediator on a series of regional conflicts and to improve its role within the Muslim world.
And now we rush to highlight – unfortunately only in words and not in actions – the importance of Greece in the wider region.
August 6, 2009 at 2:14 pm
But what is really the role of Greece in the region? This article provides very interesting insights/suggestions on what is needed in order to establish a role in the region…but it does not say much on what is that role today, as is the international political, cultural (Muslims in Europe and outside it) and economic situation (energy agreements and potential, Greece’s current position in the international division of labour) formed. I think that adding a few remarks on the content of that role would
enrich the article.
August 6, 2009 at 8:57 pm
I agree with Thanos Maroukis. Greece should play a constructive role in the wider region but so far it is rather considered a a stumbling bloc in EU´s and the US´regional politics: Kosovo recognition, politics towards Serbia, the name issue with Fyrom/Macedonia, Cyprus reunification, energy politics with Russia etc.. The business community in Greece does not seem to be too happy with Athens politics which is more domestically than outward oriented. Greece had all chances to be really the leading EU partner in the region but failed completely.Only complaining is not enough!