Κύπρος: Μεταξύ Δύσης και Ανατολής

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Όπως ήταν αναμενόμενο, η επίσκεψη του Προέδρου Νίκου Αναστασιάδη στη Μόσχα έκανε τίτλους ειδήσεων ανά το παγκόσμιο. Αμερικανικά και δυτικο-ευρωπαϊκά Mέσα εκφράζουν τις «ανησυχίες» των κρατών του «Δυτικού» μπλοκ με αναλυτές που σπεύδουν να μας προειδοποιήσουν ότι η Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία «παίζει τα χαρτιά της» με ριψοκίνδυνο τρόπο. Ταυτόχρονα, οι κινήσεις εξωτερικής πολιτικής του κ. Αναστασιάδη και του επιτελείου του, μαζί με τα πολυσυζητημένα δώρα που ο Ρώσος Πρόεδρος Βλαντίμιρ Πούτιν έδωσε στον Κύπριο ομόλογό του, έχουν παρακινήσει και πάλι τη κοινωνική, γεωπολιτική και γεωπολιτισμική μας κρίση ταυτότητας. Κατά το πώς ξέρουμε καλύτερα, μετατρέψαμε τη συνάντηση των δύο προέδρων σε συζητήσεις σχετικά με το αν χάνουμε τη «Δύση» (ή αν μας χάνει η «Δύση) και τη σύμπραξή μας με ένα «στυγερό δικτάτορα», ή σε θριαμβολογίες για τη σωτήρια μας σχέση με τη Ρωσία, για τον αποκλεισμό της Τουρκίας κτλ. Σε άλλες περιπτώσεις, εξίσου συνηθισμένες, καταλήξαμε να συζητούμε το πραξικόπημα, τον Γρίβα, τον αγώνα της ΕΟΚΑ, την Ένωση και άλλα παρεμφερή. Continue reading →

A Note on Greek Foreign Policy under Syriza

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Source: Reuters

Much has been said and written about the foreign policy that will be followed by the newly-elected coalition government in Greece that consists of majority Syriza (Coalition of the Radical Left) and minority center-to-right wing ANEL (Independent Greeks). Much of the fear-mongering and gloom analysis stems from assumptions that Syriza and many of its members (such as new Foreign Minister Dr. Nikos Kotzias) are anti-European, leftist nationalists and pro-Russian. A short evaluation will show that although we might witness some foreign policy alterations due to the rise of Syriza, they will neither be to an “axis-shift” extent nor, for example, akin to the change that we’ve witnessed in Turkey under the Justice and Development Party (AKP).  Continue reading →

Syriza’s Victory and Greek-Israeli Relations

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Source: GreekReporter

By Zenonas Tziarras* & Ioannis-Sotirios Ioannou**

The Coalition of Radical Left (Syriza) was the big winner of the Greek national elections of January 25, 2015, as expected. With 36.34% of the votes, Syriza and its leader (now Prime Minister) Alexis Tsipras won 149 seats, two seats shy of absolute majority. New Democracy, of now former Prime Minster Antonis Samaras, came second with 27.86% and 76 seats. Syriza chose to form a coalition government with Panos Kammenos’ populist and far-right (though often-referred to as center-right) Independent Greeks (ANEL), that won 13 seats with 4.8% of the votes. Not only that, but Tsipras appointed Kammenos as the new Minister of Defense. Although leftist Nikos Kotzias, Syriza’s new Foreign Minister, is more cool-headed and pragmatist, if assertive, than Kammenos, the Ministry of Defense plays an important role in security issues and Kammenos might adopt a harder line that could challenge Greece’s overall foreign policy with particular respect to relations with Turkey and Israel. Overall, these developments may signal a new approach in Greek foreign policy on issues ranging from the EU, to Russia and the Eastern Mediterranean. Continue reading →

Talk in London: Turkish Foreign Policy Today – Strategic Depth or Downfall

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ASSOCIATION FOR CYPRIOT, GREEK & TURKISH AFFAIRS

General Secretary: Dr Zenon Stavrinides – Z.Stavrinides@lineone.net

 Thursday 22 January 2015 at 6.30 p.m.

Boothroyd Room Portcullis House – Bridge Street, London SW1A 2LW

Turkish Foreign Policy Today: Strategic Depth or Downfall

By Zenonas Tziarras

Chairman: Alper Riza, QC Continue reading →

Full of Gas, Full of Problems: The Eastern Mediterranean’s Hydrocarbon Showdown

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Source: nationalinterest.org

In October of last year, Russia, Israel and Cyprus conducted a joint naval exercise in waters of the Eastern Mediterranean. Though scheduled well in advance, the timing of the drill could not have been more opportune for Cyprus; the Barbaros, a Turkish seismic vessel dispatched by Ankara in order to survey the sea floor for hydrocarbons, had just entered the bitterly contested Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) between the two countries.

The affair triggered a flurry of diplomatic action. Israel called on Turkey to respect Cyprus’ right to explore for natural gas within its maritime boundaries, and Cyprus insisted that the vessel immediately withdraw. Not surprisingly, President Erdogan rebuffed these demands, and avowed that the Barbaroswould remain at sea until a distribution deal was reached for the riches beneath. Continue reading →