Foreign Policy
Kotzias visit to Washington still leaves some doubts about US stance
A trip by Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias to Washington this week provided an opportunity for the Greek government to exchange views with the US administration but did not necessarily clear up the doubts about Washington’s stance on a range of issues that are of particular interest to Athens.
All-round concern about Greek-Turkish tension in run-up to referendum
Diplomatic sources and analysts are concerned about a possible escalation of tension in the Aegean as Turkey heads for a referendum on April 16 that would pave the way for the introduction of an executive presidency to replace the existing parliamentary system and the abolition of the office of Prime Minister among other institutional changes.
Cyprus talks take a buffeting as leaders fall out
The climate between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders deteriorated dramatically last Wednesday when a meeting was cancelled after Mustafa Akinci refused to attend. Akinci also cancelled this week's meeting and decided to attend the Islamic Conference next week, leaving no room for the United Nations to take new initiatives to host another meeting of the two leaders in the coming days.
Greece sees Turkey close to crossing 'red line' in Aegean
Athens is greatly concerned about the further escalation of tension in the Aegean after Turkish coast guard patrol boat fired real ammunition during a military exercise in the area around the Greek island of Farmakonisi last Friday.
Russia sanctions, regional diplomacy dominate Tsipras visit to Ukraine
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras visited Ukraine last week in a trip that had been decided a few months ago and is was his latest to a country that is facing diplomatic, political and other problems.
Greek-Turkish rift puts strain on Cyprus reunification talks
The heightened tension between Athens and Ankara, after the Greek Supreme Court rejected the extradition of eight Turkish military officers and reciprocal provocations over the Imia islets in recent days, are casting a shadow over the Cyprus negotiations.
Turkey ratchets up pressure on Greece in wake of extradition ruling
Greece is having to contend with a more aggressive stance from Turkey in the aftermath of Greece's Supreme Court decision not to extradite eight Turkish soldiers who Ankara wants to put on trial for their alleged role in the failed coup last July.
Greek-Turkish relations set for turbulence after court rejects soldiers' extradition
The decision of Greece’s Supreme Court on Thursday to reject an extradition request for eight Turkish military officers who fled Turkey after July’s coup attempt has created great uncertainty about bilateral relations between Ankara and Athens.
Athens sees Cyprus talks progressing despite lack of deal in Geneva
The historic Conference on Cyprus, launched last week in Geneva to discuss the issues of security and guarantees, ended on Thursday without a deal but with a decision to continue discussions at a technical level on Jan 18 before re-convening at a political level again.
Athens gears up for Cyprus talks, expecting progress rather than agreement
Following 19 months of intensive talks aiming to reunify Cyprus, the two Cypriot leaders are due to meet in Geneva on Monday at the beginning of a crucial week of negotiations on the issues of territory, security and guarantees.