Foreign Policy
Ball in Greece's court after Skopje completes approval of name deal
Athens is expecting this week to receive a note verbale from the government in Skopje with which the latter will officially announce that it has successfully completed its obligations deriving from the provisions of the Prespes Agreement, which was signed by the foreign ministers of both countries, last June.
Macedonia name deal enters crucial and contentious phase
An intensification of the processes and political developments regarding the Macedonia name deal is expected at the beginning of 2019.
Athens and Washington agree plan for closer ties as Skopje paves way for name deal
The first Strategic Dialogue between Greece and the United States was concluded in a very convivial atmosphere in Washington on Thursday.
Tsipras visit to Moscow confirms thaw in relations with Russia after diplomatic spat
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’s visit to Moscow last week and the warm remarks made by him and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a press conference that followed their meeting at the Kremlin last Friday means Greek-Russian relations appear to be back on track after last summer’s diplomatic crisis.
Skopje moves ahead with name deal ratification as Athens watches closely
The process of Greece’s neighbour, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's (FYROM), rubber-stamping the Prespes Agreement on the name issue which divided the two countries for more than 25 years is moving a step closer to completion.
Territorial waters, hydrocarbon research cause friction between Athens and Ankara
Tension between Greece and Turkey has been relatively high over the last couple of weeks due to developments related to hydrocarbon research in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Killing puts strain on Greek-Albanian relations after stalled efforts to reach deal
The death of a 35-year-old Greek man, Konstantinos Katsifas, who was shot by the Albanian police in southern part of Greece’s neighbouring country last Sunday has provoked concern in Athens and Tirana about a potential deterioration in bilateral relations.
Kotzias territorial waters comment not expected to spark change of approach in Athens
Athens was expecting a strong reaction from Ankara to the announcement made on Saturday by former Foreign Minister, Nikos Kotzias about the government’s plans to extend Greece’s territorial waters in the Ionian Sea and some parts of the Aegean to 12 nautical miles from the current six.
Tsipras faces challenges ahead on multiple foreign policy fronts
Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias’ resignation comes at a very crucial time for Greece’s foreign policy and for the region.
Athens believes name deal still alive, waits for move from Zaev
The next 10 days or so will determine whether Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Prime Minister Zoran Zaev will be able to win the necessary support to reach an agreement with the conservative opposition on the constitutional changes which Parliament has to approve as part of the Prespes Agreement with Greece.