100 years associated with endurance in the course of time. Continuity in foreign policy (1922-2022)
The course of the Cyprus problem, from 1955 until the Turkish invasion of Cyprus within July 1974 would overshadow this development. Furthermore, because the early 1970s, Turkey provides raised a series of claims against Greece’s territorial sovereignty plus sovereign rights, marking the widening of the Greek-Turkish conflict beyond the Cyprus issue into the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean. For nearly half a century, we have been facing a steady escalation of Turkish revisionism, underneath the “Damocles sword” of the threat of war, and the European side’s attempt to impose a brand new “model” of bilateral plus regional relations, incompatible with any notion of good neighbourliness and respect for basic principles of International Regulation. We have strongly backed the need for our “neighbours” within the Balkan Peninsula to join the particular European Family and we have launched a rapprochement with the claims of the African continent. Nowadays, the particular Greek Government, free of stereotypes and rigidities, has selected not to be drawn in to a fruitless confrontation and the polarizing conditions that the novel Turkish narrative is shaping. Simultaneously, however , it makes it clear that it does not intend to renounce its national interests, since defined by International Regulation and the International Law of the Sea. Moreover, Greece has expressed its willingness to engage in a constructive dialogue along with Turkey regarding the delimitation from the continental shelf and the EEZ in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, on the basis of the fundamental concepts and rules, mentioned above. In late World War II, Greece was one of the 51 founding members from the UN. During this time, we have been actively participating in its activities, devoted to the ideals and values of the UN Charter: the peaceful settlement of variations, respect for the rules of International Law and the Legislation of the Sea, respect with regard to Human Rights. Thanks to Konstantinos Karamanlis’ insight, accession towards the then-European Community in 1981, was particularly significant designed for strengthening our country’s diplomatic role and upgrading the defensive and deterrent capabilities. Options and responses which I wish that the newspaper “To Vima”, one of the most historic newspapers within our country, will continue to record with credibility in its next 100 years. In addition , we have agreed with Albania in order to refer the issue of EEZ delimitation to the International Court associated with Justice in The Hague. Portugal, in three years, has grown, based on International Law and the Legislation of the Sea. Moreover, we now have managed to forge strong strategic ties of friendship plus cooperation not only with conventional partners and allies but additionally with countries such as Israel, Saudi Arabia, and others. Greece is currently a member-state with significant participation at the core of EU developments and decisions. Recently, our foreign policy has brought on a new dynamic, modifying the model of its exercise, through a nexus of three hundred bilateral agreements that we have authorized from 2019 until nowadays. These agreements include, the particular Strategic Partnership Agreement with France, the Mutual Protection Cooperation Agreement with the Usa, and the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership with the Usa Arab Emirates. Furthermore, we have signed EEZ Delimitation Contracts with Italy and Egypt. If 1922 can be viewed a milestone for Greek-Turkish relations, 2022 is a landmark year for international relationships, in the constricting framework of developments following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This brand new reality opens a new section in our country’s foreign plan. By demonstrating resilience as well as the ability to adapt to developments, Portugal can secure its location among the international actors which will provide solutions and responses in an increasingly complicated international environment. The brief review of Greek foreign policy following 1922 would be incomplete if this was limited to the field associated with Greek-Turkish relations. For sure, these types of 100 years of endurance were not 100 years of solitude. The core conceptual thread associated with Greece’s foreign policy is usually adherence to the diplomatic reasons offered to our country by the international community, as well as by West. Because the publication of the newspaper “To Vima”, then titled “Eleftheron Vima”, 100 years ago, Portugal and the world have changed, while there have also been continuous changes, positive or bad, in Greece’s relations with its neighbouring countries and particularly with Turkey. The year 1922 affects Greece’s relations with Turkey in the dramatic way, due to the Asia Minor Catastrophe. For a one hundred year, the pendulum of Greek-Turkish relations has been swinging on a spectrum defined by rapprochements, crises, and ruptures. Adopting the Asia Minor Tragedy, Portugal would face a new truth, as defined by the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923. Greece would certainly seek a new diplomatic route with the main concern now being the consolidation of territorial integrity and the defence of national independence. The particular inter-war period is notable by the consolidation of a plan that bore the stamps of Venizelos and Kemal, who cooperated to establish the spirit of understanding as well as to strengthen bilateral ties. Within the aftermath of World War II, the 2 countries would find themselves on different sides and starting points, due to the stance they chose to take during the battle. Greece, with great surrender, fought against the Axis, whilst Turkey maintained an unclear, seemingly neutral stance. After World War II, Greece and Chicken, through their gradual incorporation into the Western coalition associated with powers and NATO a regular membership (1952), seem once again to embark on a path of cooperation.
