Do you think Greek and Turkish international relations are improving?

Question

There are so many actors, musicians, artists that are Greek and Turkish collaborating on projects, there are marriages between two nations, and the only thing seems to be past that keeps us apart. Do you think past can be the past, since we the new generation are the future's hope for peace and understanding?

Answer 1

Of course there is hope; but understanding Turkish-Greek relations would require an in-depth analysis that should connect the past to the present and the new generation should be aware of this so as to minimize "bumps" into a better future of peace and understanding. Although it is utopic to think that the youth can make a difference. The world is run by older politicians and their belief systems. The ray of hope though, lies in this "new generation" who will hopefully be the politicians of tomorrow for both countries.

Nonetheless, as the past correlates with the future; a brief summation of the evolution in International Relations (for the new generation) would be during the Post Cold War era. I won't go into the cultural aspects of "antagonism" as it might be feasted upon by trolls. So I mention only international relations.

During the post-Cold War, Greek-Turkish relations was restructured as security was the most important goal in a world in constant flux. Cooperation based in mutual trust rather than conflict seemed the most likely option as it was clear that Greco security depended too on Turkey's security.

Turkey's (since the establishment of the Republic) foreign policy has been influenced by the "Sevres Syndrome," which was a sense of being surrounded by enemies whose goal was for the destruction of the Turkish state. This consequently led to feelings of suspicion towards neighboring countries.

Greece on the other hand experienced the same security dilemma as with Turkey. Both states had this "siege mentality" that fueled distrust which in turn affected foreign policymaking in both countries for many years, thus negatively impacting bilateral relations.

The end of the Cold War coupled with the disintegration of Yugoslavia left Turkey and Greece with only two alternatives: Either stay committed to an identity based on a sense of encirclement and try to deal with post-Cold War chaos, or cooperate in the establishment of a security regime not possible without their mutual cooperation. The latter of course would require a change in foreign policymaking in both countries or else, the second option would not be feasible.

Fast forwarding to 1999, the Marmara region of Turkey was hit by an earthquake that killed thousands of people. Rush of humanitarian aid flowed from all over the world. Greece was among the first countries to dispatch rescue teams. On the same year, 1999, Greece also had an earthquake, and Turkey was among the first countries send rescue teams and condolences. These two countries, once deemed "historical enemies" and who almost came to brinkmanship in the 1996 Imia-Kardak began the unexpected process of improving relations.

One of the key points about the Greco -Turkish reconcilliation has been that it was a product of "civic/people's diplomacy," or " earthquake diplomacy" after the disasters that befell both countries. In this view, the peoples of both countries showed their preference for friendship and peace, and the political leaders just followed the "public's wish" in their diplomatic initiatives that picked up the pace post-quake period.

Getting back to the question, Since better relationships will be of mutual benefitciary for both what then are the preconditions in order to achieve this? Here I touch briefly on Culture since we are now dealing with "Civic Diplomacy" and a little bit of history.

Turkey and Greece should readily change their beliefs and thus political actions as a whole even if this contradicts with earlier actions and political traditions. To make this possible, at first, Greeks should extricate themselves from the Turkish 'obsession' as a military might but belligerent neighbor. The Ottoman Empire as expansionist as it was, was no different than all the other Empires who had controlled Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. Conquest for Ex-empires at that time long ago was a necessity simply because they were originally organized for conquest, Their economies were dependent on land, manpower (including military purposes) and all kinds of resources gathered from the conquered lands. Moreover, although present day Turks are the heirs of the Ottoman Empire, they are not the unique one since the Ottoman Empire was a "cosmopolitan" Empire which included many ethnic groups in its sphere of influence. THUS, the Turks cannot be solely blamed for all the actions that was done against Greeks in the past.

In addition, in the most important cause of antagonism between two nations, was the Turkish intervention in Cyprus, which personally was an event that is open to a myriad of interpretations with several justifications that cannot be considered as "empirical" evidence for Turkish aggressiveness.

Therefore, Greeks should abolish the perception that Turks has this inherent expansionist side in them if one wants the relationship to prosper. This is evident in the modern Turkish Republic founded in 1923 which exhibits a strong secularist and democratic tradition as its legacy. Founded by Mustafa Kemal "Ataturk" who envisioned the concept of 'peace at home, and thus peace in the world'.

Greece should also give respect to Turkish influence in some Central Asian Republics along the role it plays between the East and the West. Where Turkey's geo-political location, cultural, religious, and historical bonds are in tandem with those regions. Similarly, Turkey in turn should respect the role Greece assumes in the Balkans as the most prosperous Orthodox nation. Not discounting the fact that in rich Western countries, both Turkish and Greek minorities are one of the most prosperous in those nations' populace.

Also,both states have this distinctive history & culture that should not be taken in as a clash of interests but a common ground for mutual understanding, and norms for better relationships.

A very important point is the renouncement of one's state of international relations in order to gain domestic popularity as I said earlier, it is the politicians who move the world. Neither Greece nor Turkey should be emboldened to use the Turkish-Greek hostility as a platform for an election campaign. Political redundancy concerning chronological issues should be set aside. An example of which could be the argument as to whether the extension of territorial boundaries (nautical & aerial) in the Aegean Sea would give Greece an economic and political advantage? Conversely,what loss would Turkey feel concerning 'sensitive' issues namely Cyprus vis-a-vis the Aegean Sea? A meeting of political minds with peace and cooperation on the table is necessary common ground at which both sides should be open-minded and set aside their own interpretation of history and policies as well as their self-interests for things to move forward.

Hopefully, the new generation of politicians will rise up to the challenge. Only when these conditions are met will there be a brighter future for both countries.

Answer 2

Prejudice is a very deep seated issue. All it takes is a great leader to move a nation away from it, or a monster to refuel the flames. Ultimately, if each person reached out to others as brothers and sisters, we could bury this concept.

Answer 3

I don't see why specifically Turks and Greeks should become friends. I also don't see the reason why so many try to desperately prove or disprove Greeks and Turks are friends.

Why couldn't be that Greeks and Turks stay flat? Neither friends nor enemies.

Many would be perfectly fine with that.

Answer 4

well we cannot make both nations adore each other but of course we can be friends and we are. i think we should not repeat the past but learn from it. yes we do have many common things but this is not the main reason. if you like a person then you become friends.

Answer 5

How would I be affected if we are friends, foes or lovers; I don't think about Greece 24/7 so as an answer to your question I couldn't care less. Peace, peace, peace...I didn't know we were in a war with Greece.

Answer 6

The Turkish-Greek relations have 2 levels: personal, as between the people, and political, between governments etc. As people, we have no problem, so it is normal that our relations are good. But in politics, there are still many differences, on which there is little progress.

Answer 7

You are right.
So much talking about what once happened, whereas we should think of what is going to happen in the present and future.
It is true though that it is mostly a politician matter.

Answer 8

Well, I suppose it depends on the Greek and Turk involved ....... going to Greece this summer I sat next to a man on the plane who started a conversation with me. As soon as he found out I was Greek, the conversation stopped. He traveled the next 8 hours in silence. Does this show peace and understanding?????

Answer 9

If World War-II arch enemies UK and Germany can be friends and part of the European Union....what stops Turkey and Greece from bieng friends as well? Its only a matter of time till we see borders between Turkey and Greece dissolve.

Answer 10

I think the relations are bad because of the greek nationalism (and the nationalism of the balkans) that divided the good, peaceful and fair Ottoman empire.
All the greek friends who feel sorry for what they did to us when the nationalist Venizelos invaded in Macedonia and Anatolia must help us now join the european union because turkish language is the mother of all european languages and turkish people are very good and european.