By Antonis Anzoletou

The spread of the conflict in the Middle East is something that particularly concerns the Greek side, as the mobility in the wider region is very high and everything that happens cannot fail to have an impact on relations with Turkey. Bloody conflict between Israel and Hamas, Iran’s “aggressive waiting”, Russia’s chronic involvement in Syria, but also Erdogan’s study to highlight Turkey as a leading power and “protector” of the Muslim world complicate the situation. He has already raised his tone against the West and Israel, recalling the stance he took against NATO and the US when Russia declared war on Ukraine. Washington is following the developments very carefully, as alongside the developments in the Middle East it continues to support Ukraine in the other war which unfortunately continues.

Greece, EU, USA, but also the UN they make a clear distinction between the Palestinian civilians who are killed and suffer from the blockade and the Hamas “fighters” who spread the death. Greece is actively participating in the discussions on the creation of a humanitarian corridor in order to reach aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip. The plan would provide for humanitarian aid to be gathered and transported by sea to Palestinian civilians in need of food and medicine.

The question is one: to what extent the rapprochement with Turkey and the positive steps that have been taken so far will continue amid the turmoil in which the wider region is. He will once again take advantage of the opportunity o Erdogan to change course? Due to the ideological leanings of the AKP (kiss-next to the Palestinian cause) the Turkish government is clearly not maintaining a balanced position and has proceeded to a crescendo of threats against Israel. The Supreme Cooperation Council to be held on 7 December remains a crucial milestone for the following day. Unless all the facts have now changed. The appointment, however, is valid and the wait is long. A de-escalation mechanism is underway between Greece and Turkey with political dialogue and a positive agenda already underway. Athens will do everything so that the days of tensions and continuous violations do not return. The first big fear is that the clock will turn back to 2015 when refugee flows were putting incredible pressure on Hellas causing an unprecedented crisis. So far the figures are not alarming. The second is to cause a new tension between America and Turkey, as Erdogan is not excluded to “irritate” Joe Biden with his attitude. As a privileged interlocutor with all the countries of the region, the open channels that exist with Tehran cannot be forgotten. The wait for the F-16s continues, as does the swap deal with Sweden entering the NATO. It is a rule that any “storm” in American-Turkish relations automatically brings “storms” in Greek-Turkish relations.

The third worrying element caused by the war in the region is that for the international community Greek-Turkish languages ​​are no longer a priority. The “calm waters” that exist are a situation that favors the postponement of discussions until much later. Especially the issue of The Hague that has been put on the table by Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Who would want another open front in the wider area right now? You do. It is not easy to decipher exactly Ankara’s intentions and therefore the Greek government remains as always in a state of “alert” closely monitoring all developments.