Foreign Policy
Athens trying to step up Western Balkans engagement to counter Turkey's influence
Greece is intensifying its efforts to counter Turkey’s more active role in the Western Balkans, including by strengthening relations between Athens and Kosovo.
Arrival of new fighter jets draws attention as EastMed pipeline issue simmers in background
The first six of 24 state of the art Rafale fighter jets Greece is acquiring from France arrived to much fanfare last Wednesday at Tanagra Air Base, north of Athens.
Athens ponders US scepticism about EastMed gas pipeline
Athens was left confused and concerned by a non-paper sent by Washington that casts doubt on the future of the East Med natural gas pipeline.
Turkey looms large in 2022 foreign policy agenda, which includes Balkans, US and Russia
As far as Greek foreign policy is concerned, the arrival of the new year has not brought the most encouraging signs as Ankara has launched a new round of aggressive rhetoric against Athens, with the latest warning coming from Turkey’s Defence Minister, Hulusi Akar.
A busy year of diplomacy for Athens, but Greek-Turkish ties stagnate
Greece was active on the diplomatic front throughout 2021: High-level agreements were signed, while Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias visited several countries with the aim of forging stronger ties with countries that are significant for Greek interests.
Mitsotakis heads to Israel and Russia with broad agenda
Issues that are high on the Greek government’s diplomatic agenda, such as energy, the tension in the Eastern Mediterranean and Turkey are expected to top the talks that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will have on his visits to Tel Aviv and Sochi this week.
Athens reacts to Turkey developments, stance of EU allies on arms
The collapse of the Turkish lira and the possible knock-on effect that this might have across the Aegean is being followed closely in Athens.
Athens gets seat at Libya conference, but talks yield little
An international conference on Libya ended in Paris on Friday with a commitment from the North African country’s authorities to hold presidential elections on December 24 and a decision to set up a schedule for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Libya.
Athens looks to bolster ties with African states, beyond Libya
For some time, Greece has paid little attention to Africa and especially the northern part of the continent, where it could potentially have a strategic footprint.
Zaev's departure leaves ties with North Macedonia in balance
The European Union’s failure to offer the Western Balkans guarantees for full EU membership has had many victims. The latest is North Macedonia’s prime minister, Zoran Zaev.