After years of a thaw in Greek Turkish relations, two big issues are increasing tensions again between the two neighbors. The first issue, one that has been ongoing for years but is becoming more aggressive with time is the constant air violations of Turkish war planes over Greek territorial space, including that of inhabited small islands. Turkey maintains that it is flying in international waters, but Greece has complained that the Turkish war planes are flying at lower altitudes and more often over inhabited islands. The mock dog fights between the two countries in the air is common place.
A second and touchy issue deals with immigration. Turkey is the jumping point for tens of thousands of migrants trying to reach the shores of the Greek islands to make their way through Europe. Greece complains that Turkey turns a blind eye to the smuggling and the immigration, often not taking back immigrants that Greece intercepts. More than 146,000 illegal immigrants were intercepted just last year. WOW.
Do you think that the relations between Turkey and Greece has hit a standstill?
MSNBC
posted on Tuesday, June 23
DeanMan... ...While its internal politics make Turkey a difficult country to deal with I fault the Greek government for not trying harder, All issues should be put on the table and concessions by one side should be traded for concessions by the other.
First, Greece could ease up on the Turkish minority in Thrace, which is subject to some petty restrictions. Secondly, Greece could do more to help bring about a settlement on Cyprus. Let the Turks in Northern Cyprus have a little autonomy within a bizonal arrangement because there will be no settlement without one and a Bizonal agreement at least allows Greek Cypriots better control over what happens in the south.
In return what do the Greeks need from the Turks? First, an end to Turkish military incursions over Greek airspace, Second, religious freedom for the Patriarchate in Constantinople, Third, cooperation over illegal immigration.
Lastly both sides could benefit from improved trade and reduced tensions, so wide ranging discussions with Turkey are definely worth the effort. We have to decide whether we want to live in the bitter past or strive for a better future.
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