Foreign Policy
Athens and Skopje press ahead with confidence measures despite uncertainty
The governments in Athens and Skopje seem determined to move forward with talks on the adoption of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), despite the fraught political situation in both countries.
Athens wary of Skopje unrest but still aims to bolster ties
Athens has been monitoring with great concern the ongoing political crisis in the neighboring Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) but the SYRIZA-led government is unlikely to be deterred in its efforts to build closer ties with Skopje.
Foreign minister's visit to Ankara sparks hope of new era in Greek-Turkish ties
A visit by Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias to Turkey this week has given fresh hope of progress in relations between Athens and Ankara.
Athens keeps options open on gas pipelines despite nudge from Washington
The Greek government’s multi-pronged approach to energy issues has been in focus over the past few days after the US State Department sent Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs Amos Hochstein to Athens on Friday to convince Athens that it should concentrate its efforts on the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and not on extending the planned Turkish Stream pipeline through Greece.
Tsipras eyes movement on EEZ after second Greece, Cyprus and Egypt pact
The leaders of Greece, Cyprus and Egypt signed the Nicosia Declaration on Thursday, aiming at strengthening relations between the three countries.
Greek relations with US on edge due to law allowing terrorist's release
Relations between Greece and the USA became much tenser this week as a result of Greek Parliament approving on Monday a Justice Ministry bill that paves the way for November 17 terrorist Savvas Xiros to be released from prison before the end of his sentence and placed under house arrest.
Tsipras heads for Russia with specific aims, including halting speculation
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is preparing for his two-day visit to Moscow, which begins on Wednesday and is essentially his first foreign policy challenge, especially after the noise generated by Greece’s allies and partners following the announcement of the trip.
Tsipras hopes for 'spring' with Russia but brighter days not certain
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras says he hopes for “spring” in relations between Greece and Russia, which he his due to visit on April 8, rather than the “Siberian winter” that currently exists between Moscow and the European Union.
Foreign policy emerges as potential point of friction between EU and new Greek government
Foreign policy, rather than bailout terms or debt relief, is emerging as the first potential point of conflict between Greece and the European Union after the SYRIZA-led government indicated displeasure over calls for further sanctions against Russia due to fighting in eastern Ukraine.
New Democracy broadens attack on SYRIZA to include migration, national issues
After spending the first few days of this briefest of elections campaigns focussing on SYRIZA’s possible threat to Greece’s position in the euro, New Democracy now appears to be broadening the agenda of issues it is using to try to eat away at the leftists party’s lead.