Highlights
– Military Cooperation is the latest of Confidence Building Measures between Greece and Turkey
– Bilateral relations in the energy, banking, tourism and transportation sectors are also improving
– Mistrust remains between Greeks and Turks
The recent official visit of Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan to Greece is definitely a sign of thawing relations between two countries that have been long-term political and military adversaries. In place of bitter acrimony are signs that the efforts at rapprochement, which began in 1999, are continuing, and may be gaining momentum. During Babacan’s visit, both parties agreed to Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) relating to military cooperation, bringing the total number up to twenty-four from the previous nineteen that have been activated between the countries.
Focusing on military cooperation during these talks is crucial, as this relationship has remained tense between the two countries. Greek and Turkish military vessels and aircraft often have “face-offs” with each other, and the Turkish Office of the General Staff still logs violations of Greek fighters.
These new CBMs are meant to enhance trust between both sides and are historic in nature. The Turkish and Greek militaries will also host high-level visits between each other and perform joint missions in NATO to include disaster assistance and foreign peacekeeping missions. Continuation of cooperation between the two countries will remain ongoing in the near-term across all sectors. However, any military incidents have the potential to impact the strides made to date.
Improving Relations
Bilateral relations have been improving between Turkey in the energy, banking, tourism and transportation sectors. Ties between the two countries have improved through a major pipeline project opening up a conduit for natural gas from Central Asia to Western Europe. The trade volume between the two countries has also greatly increased in the last year, with some estimates placed at a fifty percent increase. It appears that both sides can see the value in improving economic relations.
While the border between Greece and Turkey is still militarized, the Greek government has agreed to remove anti-personnel mines by 2010. Most importantly, Greece is supporting Turkey’s European Union bid, stating that Turkey is important to future stability and security in the region.
To confirm the feelings of good will, Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis will make an official state visit to Turkey, probably in January 2008. This will be the first Greek head of state to visit Turkey in forty-eight years, a major step towards a path of reconciliation between both sides.
Contentious Issues
Greek-Turkish relations have been tense in the past. Both sides nearly went to war over a sovereignty dispute in 1996 over the Kardak (Imia) islets, as well as oil and gas exploration disputes in the Aegean a decade before.
However, the most contentious issue is over Cyprus. After a failed coup in 1974 to unite the island with Greece, Turkey invaded the northern part of the island, and Cyprus has been effectively divided since that time. No major progress has been made regarding Cyprus, but Turkey has declared that the Cyprus issue needs to be regulated in the United Nations (UN). There is still a great deal of distrust between both sides, even if both sides are starting to cooperate on some issues.
Small incidents can often have larger repercussions when there are underlying issues of mistrust. Recently, an ethnic Greek journalist in Turkey, Andreas Rombopulos of Echo newspaper, was brutally beaten outside of his offices. Although Rombopulos was not killed, the case has some similarities to the murder of ethic Armenian journalist, Hrant Dink who was murdered outside his offices.
The Greek Foreign Ministry has commented that certain forces are trying to create obstacles and cause disruption—they expect Turkish authorities to apprehend the perpetrators of this crime and to make sure it does not happen again. In addition, there have been arson attacks on diplomatic vehicles in Athens, including two Turkish vehicles.
Outlook
Despite mutual mistrust issues and complicated issues such as Cyprus, it does appear both countries are making genuine efforts at some form of reconciliation. Greece’s support for Turkey’s EU membership bid is a major boost to Turkey in pursuing that goal. Turkey and Greece are neighbors and there is a great deal to be gained from a cooperative relationship.
However, should any major incidents occur between the two countries, it is likely that the rapprochement process could easily be derailed.
