In its foreign policy, Greece adheres to international laws, refuses to use force to solve problems, supports the promotion of collective security systems and the peaceful settlement of international conflicts, and takes part in the fight against terrorism.
Diplomatic relations
Major issues
Until now, the Cyprus and Aegean conflicts regarding the occupation of Cyprus and the delimitation of the Aegean and Turkey [3] , as well as the Macedonian issue due to territorial [4] [5] and historical and cultural claims, remain problematic and unresolved issues in Greek foreign policy. [6] [7] Republic of Macedonia .
Cyprus Conflict
The Cyprus conflict was caused by the Turkish invasion of 1974 and the occupation of northern Cyprus, which forcibly divided the population, turned thousands of Greek Cypriots into refugees. On November 15, 1983 the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was proclaimed, recognized only by Turkey, while the international community, in particular the UN, still considers this territory occupied by Turkey [8] . After gaining independence from Britain , the Greek Cypriots voted three times in a referendum on accession to Greece. About 90% of voters favored joining. However, Greece all the time refused to reunite , referring to the terms of the treaty of independence [9] .
Aegean Conflict
The Aegean conflict has been a stumbling block in Greek-Turkish relations since the early 1970s. Unresolved issues remain: delimitation of territorial waters, national airspace, exclusive economic zones and the use of the continental shelf, flight information areas (FIR), disputes over the already demilitarized status assigned to some of the Greek islands in this area, Turkish claims of “gray zones” of undetermined sovereignty over numerous uninhabited small islands, primarily the islands of Imia (Kardak). At the same time, Greece in Helsinki in December 1999 played an active role in granting Turkey the status of candidate for EU accession. In 2010, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan with several ministers paid an official visit to Athens. [10] The negotiations, according to analysts, were a manifestation of a certain warming in relations between the states [11] , and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu stated that the Turkish government was working to create an “atmosphere of psychological changes” in relations between the two countries [12] .
Macedonian Question
The Macedonian question arose especially sharply in the early 1990s in relations between Greece and the newly formed Republic of Macedonia . Greece for a long time did not recognize this country for several reasons. Firstly, especially in the first years of its independence, the Republic of Macedonia actively propagated the creation of an independent state not in the former Yugoslav republic, but within the historical region of Macedonia , which includes parts of the territories of modern states: Serbia , Bulgaria and Greece [13] . The capital of this state should be the Greek city of Thessaloniki [14] , even on the banknote of the Macedonian denar was the symbol of Thessaloniki - the White Tower [15] . In the capital of the Republic of Macedonia, Skopje, the international airport [16] is named after Alexander the Great , the main square of the city is called Macedonian, where a huge monument to Alexander [17] [18] will also be erected. In general, Macedonian historians question the Greek character of Ancient Macedonia [19] . Therefore, perhaps the greatest concern in Greece is the twisted national history of the Republic of Macedonia. Greece insists on using an official name recognized by the UN - The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - and blocks the Republic of Macedonia from joining the EU and NATO until a new name for this state is agreed upon in ongoing negotiations under the auspices of the UN.
On February 12, 2019, the agreement on renaming the Republic of Macedonia to the Republic of Northern Macedonia officially entered into force.
Eurointegration
In 1961, Greece became the first country that, not being a member of the EEC, signed an association agreement with the EEC . After 20 years, in 1981, Greece became a member of the European Union (at that time the European Economic Community ). On January 1, 2000, Greece adopted the regulatory framework of the Schengen Agreement , which gave Greek citizens the right to unlimited travel. January 1, 2001, Greece joined the Economic Monetary Union, becoming the twelfth full member of the Eurozone .
Greece actively supports the future enlargement of the EU (with the exception of Turkey and the Republic of Macedonia). In particular, in 2010, Greece expressed support for the European perspective of Serbia [20] . At the same time, in November 2010, the President of Greece, Karolos Papoulias , during a visit to Bulgaria, stated regarding FYROM [21] :
| Greece supports the decision, which will reflect the historical reality of the region ... as long as it (FYROM) insists on its implacable position, the doors of NATO and the EU will be closed for it, and the procedures for joining the European Union will be frozen. |
Regarding the Turkish association, Karolos Papoulias added in the same message:
| The Cyprus conflict deeply affects Greek-Turkish relations and is the main obstacle to EU relations with Turkey. |
NATO Membership
In 1952, Greece joined NATO, in 1953, the Greek government allowed the deployment of US and NATO military bases on the territory of the country.
Membership in International Organizations
Having an exceptionally advantageous geographical position in the region, it enjoys many of the diplomatic, commercial and political benefits of international cooperation. Greece is one of the main participants in most large international organizations, in particular: the Bank for International Settlements , the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation , the World Customs Organization , the Council of Europe , the Council of Euro-Atlantic Cooperation , the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development , the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe , the African Economic Commission UN (Association), Latin American and Caribbean economic Commission , the European investment Bank , economic and monetary oyuz EU , European Union , Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations , the IAEA , the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development , International Civil Aviation Organization , the International Development Association , the International Energy Agency , the International Fund for Agricultural Development , the International Finance Corporation , the International Labor Organization , International Monetary Fund , The International Maritime organization , Interpol , the International Olympic Committee , the International organization for migrations AI , the International Organization for Standardization , the NATO , the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development , OSCE , UN , UN Security Council , United Nations Conference on Trade and Development , UNESCO , United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees , the Western European Union , WHO , the World Meteorological Organization , World intellectual property organization .
Notes
- ↑ In Skopje , Republic of Macedonia , there is an interaction office
- ↑ Greece is represented in other countries either through the parallel accreditation of embassies, or through the embassy of another EU member state
- ↑ Foreign Policy - Turkey . Date of treatment October 15, 2011. Archived August 31, 2012.
- ↑ The Macedonian Question Today . Date of treatment October 15, 2011.
- ↑ Documentation for the Letter to President Barack Obama . Macedonia-Evidence. Date of treatment October 15, 2011. Archived August 31, 2012.
- ↑ Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou. The "Macedonian Question" . Date of treatment October 15, 2011. Archived August 31, 2012.
- ↑ Jasmina Mironski. Macedonia's great Alexander statue vexes Greece . smh.com.au (June 9, 2009). Date of treatment October 15, 2011. Archived August 31, 2012.
- ↑ According to the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 550 and 541 . Un.org. Date of treatment October 15, 2011. Archived August 31, 2012.
- ↑ Cyprus . The world is beautiful.net. Date of treatment October 15, 2011. Archived August 31, 2012.
- ↑ Turkish Prime Minister flew to Athens . euronews (05/14/10). Date of treatment October 15, 2011. Archived August 31, 2012.
- ↑ Ankara and Athens go towards each other . euronews (05/15/10). Date of treatment October 15, 2011. Archived August 31, 2012.
- ↑ Ankara will support the course towards the settlement of the Cyprus problem . euronews (04/19/10). Date of treatment October 15, 2011. Archived August 31, 2012.
- ↑ History textbook for 8th grade students in the Republic of Macedonia, map of the state of Macedonia . Date of treatment October 15, 2011. Archived August 31, 2012.
- ↑ Propaganda postcard published in Skopje . Date of treatment October 15, 2011.
- ↑ 1 Macedonian denar with the image of the White Tower . Date of treatment October 15, 2011. Archived August 31, 2012.
- ↑ The name of the airport on the official page (English) . Date of treatment October 15, 2011. Archived August 31, 2012.
- ↑ Greece and Macedonia quarreled over the monument to Alexander the Great (Inaccessible link) (June 16, 2011). Date of treatment October 15, 2011. Archived July 31, 2013.
- ↑ Vitaliy Portnikov. Historical disputes of the descendants of Iskander of Macedon (06/17/2011). Date of treatment October 15, 2011. Archived August 31, 2012.
- ↑ Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou. The "Macedonian Question" . Date of treatment October 15, 2011. Archived August 31, 2012.
- ↑ Greece supports the European perspective of Serbia . ANA-MPA SA. Date of treatment October 15, 2011. Archived August 31, 2012.
- ↑ K. Papoulias on the issue of FYROM . ANA-MPA SA. Date of treatment October 15, 2011. Archived August 31, 2012.
Links
- Foreign policy . Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece. Date of treatment October 15, 2011. Archived May 17, 2012.
- Foreign policy . Embassy of Greece in Moscow. Date of treatment October 15, 2011. Archived May 17, 2012.