Recently, Greece has been acting in a consolidated manner with the West in foreign policy. As a matter of fact, the link established by the international public opinion between the stability of the Mitsotakis administration and its economic development is effective in the development of this situation. It can be stated that the relations between Greece, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) are shaped by mutual gains. In particular, the energy crisis in Europe caused by the Russia-Ukraine War and the BRICS actors’ challenge to American influence in the region have increased the need for Greece in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Mitsotakis administration sees its own interests as parallel to the interests of its Western allies and follows a foreign policy accordingly. Based on this, it can be claimed that Athens acted with two basic motives in its foreign policy. The first of these is to continue its integration with the West by taking the initiative in resolving the crises experienced by the actors it cooperates with. Another is to accelerate its economic development and increase its geopolitical power in the region with the support it receives from Athens as an intermediary in the solutions in question. Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis’s emphasis,[1] in his telephone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba that he supports all international initiatives aimed at restoring Ukraine’s sovereignty and preventing humanitarian crises can be cited as an example of Athens’ foreign policy, which proceeds in parallel with the West.
Greece has been increasing its contacts with the USA for a while and trying to deepen its relations. While Washington tries to maintain its presence in the Eastern Mediterranean, Athens aims to become the diplomatic center in the region. Apparently; This relationship, shaped by reciprocity, serves the interests of the parties. Because, on the one hand, the USA wants to prevent Russian influence in the Black Sea and the Balkans, and on the other hand, it wants to establish a military base in the Eastern Mediterranean against a possible security crisis.
One of the issues that need to be emphasized is Athens-Brussels relations. The EU is criticized for its approach towards immigrants. At this point, Greece appears as a barrier to the migration flow to Europe. In addition, although there are tensions between the two actors from time to time, the view that Greece can be a new alternative with the energy crisis can be seen as the driving force in Brussels’ interest in the country.
Therefore, it can be stated that Brussels has opposed the recent developments against Greece. Following the imprisonment of Fredi Beleri by Albania, European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas stated that this situation could pose an obstacle to European ambitions for the Albanian people.[2] This statement of Schinas shows Brussels’ sensitivity towards Greece. . It can be argued that the cooperation between Athens and Brussels manifests itself at many points. As a matter of fact, Mitsotakis’s invitation to the leaders of the Western Balkan countries and EU officials to Athens for an informal discussion about the expansion of the Union and the European future of the region proves this situation. [3]
The interest of the EU and the USA shows that Greece can take relatively bold steps in its foreign policy. In this context, Athens is turning to a multifaceted foreign policy in which it will be the center of attraction in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Mitsotakis administration, which is seen as an important actor especially in terms of energy and security, uses this need of the West to its advantage. In this way, it will accelerate its economic development with the support it will receive. Because it can be argued that development is very important for the Mitsotakis administration. In this context, Greece aims to provide wage subsidies and social security contributions in order to create 26,000 jobs.[4] BIn addition, Athens plans to receive new funds by 2027, correcting its image of economic inefficiency in the eyes of Brussels.[5] Another indicator of the country’s development goals is the draft law being prepared. In the bill in question, the law adopted in 1932 that prohibits a person from working a second job will be abolished and the total working hours will be limited to 13.[6]
Another issue is that China is increasing its influence in the international system day by day. The demand of actors such as Egypt and Palestine to join BRICS can be interpreted as a reaction against the West’s presence in the region and as China being seen as an important alternative. In addition, the EU imposed various sanctions on Russia, and Moscow used its energy trump card, causing crises to escalate in the region. In addition, the crises between Kosovo and Serbia undermined the EU’s initiative in the Western Balkans. The risk of tension in the region turning into conflict worries the parties. Because of the deep relations between Serbs and Russians, it is thought that there will be room for maneuver for Russia. At this point, Greece appears as a very important actor due to its geopolitical position.
Ultimately, the USA needs to secure its presence in the region in order to pursue a sustainable policy. Moreover, considering the security approach in Brussels-Washington relations, it can be stated that Greece is a very important actor for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)’s easy access to both the Balkans, the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean. Therefore, Athens’ orientation towards the Eastern Mediterranean will increase the gains of its Western allies.
To put it more concretely; Greece continues its attempts to become a diplomatic center in the region while protecting the interests of its allies. In this context, it has taken action for a multifaceted policy in the region. Minister Gerapetrit’s meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry,[7] it is one of the important steps of the policy in question. During the meeting, where strategic partnership was emphasized, the issue of energy and electricity supply to Europe was discussed, in addition to issues such as climate change.[8]
Israel appears as another stop in Athens’ Eastern Mediterranean contacts. Defense ministers of the two countries came together and discussed research and development cooperation in the defense industry. The aim of this cooperation is for Greece to develop its own system in cooperation with Israel, rather than becoming an arms customer.[9] It can be argued that while Greece shapes its policy in the region, it also aims to remove the obstacles to its energy initiative towards Europe. In his phone conversation with his Libyan counterpart Najla Mangoush, Minister Gerapetrit emphasized that relations should be restarted and direct communication channels should be opened.[10]
It is possible to say that Greece will use energy as a tool to deepen its relations with Europe. As a matter of fact, Athens has recently made serious initiatives regarding energy. Planning of two energy storage facilities with a capacity of 98 megawatts in the Western Macedonia region to be built in 2024 and put into operation in 2025, [11] can be given as examples of these initiatives. As a result, it is possible to say that Athens continued its foreign policy in a consolidated manner with the West. It can be argued that the energy crisis in Europe and NATO’s security concerns are a determining factor in Greek foreign policy. The acceleration of Mitsotakis’ initiatives towards the Eastern Mediterranean shows that he will take initiative for these problems in the coming period.
[1] “Athens And Kyiv Affirm Ties”, Ekathimerini, https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1217625/athens-and-kyiv-affirm-ties/, (Erişim Tarihi:11.08.2023).
[2] “Schinas: Detention of Ethnic Greek Mayor in Albania ‘Profoundly Anti-European’”, Ekathimerini, https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1217819/schinas-detention-of-ethnic-greek-mayor-in-albania-profoundly-anti-european/, (Erişim Tarihi:15.08.2023).
[3] “PM To Host Western Balkan, EU Leaders On Monday for Enlargement Talks”, Ekathimerini, https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1218080/pm-to-host-western-balkan-eu-leaders-on-monday-for-enlargement-talks/, (Erişim Tarihi: 19.08.2023).
[4] “Subsidies to Help Create 26,000 Jobs”, Ekathimerini, https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1217358/subsidies-to-help-create-26000-jobs/, (Erişim Tarihi: 09.08.2023).
[5] “Race To Absorb EU Funds”, Ekathimerini, https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1217766/race-to-absorb-eu-funds/, (Erişim Tarihi: 15.08.2023).
[6] “Employment Rules in Greece to Be Tweaked”, Ekathimerini, https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1217125/employment-rules-in-greece-to-be-tweaked/, (Erişim Tarihi: 05.08.2023).
[7] “Greek And Egyptian Foreign Ministers Hold Talks on Bilateral and Regional Issues”, Ekathimerini, https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1217094/greek-and-egyptian-foreign-ministers-hold-talks-on-bilateral-and-regional-issues/, (Erişim Tarihi: 04.08.2023).
[8] “FM Highlights Ties with Egypt in Meeting with Counterpart”, Ekathimerini, https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1217111/fm-highlights-ties-with-egypt-in-meeting-with-counterpart/, (Erişim Tarihi: 04.08.2023).
[9] “Greece, Israel Utilizing Innovation in Defense Cooperation”, Ekathimerini, https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1217342/greece-israel-utilizing-innovation-in-defense-cooperation/, (Erişim Tarihi: 09.08.2023).
[10] “Athens Seeking Restart with Tripoli.’’, Ekathimerini, https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1217429/athens-seeking-restart-with-tripoli/, (Erişim Tarihi: 10.08.2023).
[11] “PPC Renewables to Build Energy Storage Facilities”, Ekathimerini, https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1217757/ppc-renewables-to-build-energy-storage-facilities/, (Erişim Tarihi: 14.08.2023).
