Two of the major allies in NATO and the wider Mediterranean region, Greece and Turkey have long being faced with huge dilemmas of stability and security in the Middle East and North Africa. Under the current pivotal shifts of global and regional influence, these two countries have a lot to win by cooperating closely and consistently.
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The unfolding of the Greek financial crisis has been heightened up during the last six months. Even after the first agreement at the latest Euro Summit over a third bailout deal, economic conditions and the future of Greece inside Eurozone are not yet secured. And not that much because the Greek government does not look for it, but because the financial deal has nothing to incite hopeful thoughts over growth development. The bailout deal is not investment-oriented nor addresses the major macroeconomic burdens of the Greek economy.
Nonetheless, the Greek government have been clear from the first day in office regarding its sincere intentions to widen and foster cooperation in foreign and neighboring policy. Foreign Affairs Minister Nikos Kotzias has been really active on the diplomatic field, facilitating the development of synergies in the economic, business, trade field, while nourishing a constant dialogue with specific countries in Greece's geographic region.
Bilateral relations with Turkey are of major importance for the Greek government. The business world of both countries is declared willing to broaden essential cooperation and foster business and investment synergies, preparing the field for a top-down transformation of relations in the economic field. The Greek side has developed a non-myopic approach on the role of Turkey as regional power that influences and defines developments in the Middle East, especially with reference to the direct and growing threat of the Islamic State. This major security threat for Turkey, Greece and the European Union can definitely play a critical role in accelerating bilateral cooperation in trade and tourism, intelligence and mutual economic development, but also prepare the field for Greece and Turkey to start advancing their role in the Balkans and Eastern Europe.
Towards a multipolar global order with different spheres of influence in regional level, both countries can build on three fundamental assets: the capacity of young scientists, policy-makers and businessmen; the affluent resources; the geographical proximity that can bring a spillover of sustainable growth.
Assets are clear and now it is the time to start giving them a proper value.
Nonetheless, the Greek government have been clear from the first day in office regarding its sincere intentions to widen and foster cooperation in foreign and neighboring policy. Foreign Affairs Minister Nikos Kotzias has been really active on the diplomatic field, facilitating the development of synergies in the economic, business, trade field, while nourishing a constant dialogue with specific countries in Greece's geographic region.
Bilateral relations with Turkey are of major importance for the Greek government. The business world of both countries is declared willing to broaden essential cooperation and foster business and investment synergies, preparing the field for a top-down transformation of relations in the economic field. The Greek side has developed a non-myopic approach on the role of Turkey as regional power that influences and defines developments in the Middle East, especially with reference to the direct and growing threat of the Islamic State. This major security threat for Turkey, Greece and the European Union can definitely play a critical role in accelerating bilateral cooperation in trade and tourism, intelligence and mutual economic development, but also prepare the field for Greece and Turkey to start advancing their role in the Balkans and Eastern Europe.
Towards a multipolar global order with different spheres of influence in regional level, both countries can build on three fundamental assets: the capacity of young scientists, policy-makers and businessmen; the affluent resources; the geographical proximity that can bring a spillover of sustainable growth.
Assets are clear and now it is the time to start giving them a proper value.
*Dimitris Rapidis is Director of Bridging Europe, and Jean Barroci is Junior Political Analyst at Bridging Europe
sourche: http://www.bridgingeurope.net/greece-and-turkey-should-build-on-low-politics.html
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