Athens’s diplomatic demarcation in the Balkans and the strengthening of its leadership role

By Dimitris Gatsios

At a time when Turkey is constantly raising the level of rhetorical outbursts and provocations over the last twenty-four hours, reiterating its unhistorical claims about the Aegean, Athens is expanding its diplomatic footprint in the Balkans and strengthening its alliances. The presence of the Prime Minister in Croatia and the discussions he had with the state and political leadership of the country are part of the framework of a demarcation that will have Serbia and Romania as their next stops. And the government not only creates counterweights in the waves of Turkish aspirations in the Balkans, but proposes the enhanced role of our country in a critical area of ​​the world map, aiming to increase Greek influence.

Athens’ responses to statements by Turkish officials, such as Mevlüt Çavuşoλουlu, are resounding. “Ankara’s provocative policy with positions that are outside the framework of international law, in violation of international law, but also within the framework and the spirit of good neighborliness, continues. It is obvious that this provocation is escalating due to the nervousness prevailing in Turkey difficulties, but also because of the strengthening of the geopolitical and geostrategic imprint of our country.All these unfounded, unsupported and thousand-worded things on the part of Turkey, Greece faces calmly, but also with determination and gives its answers to the diplomatic field, but also in the field, where it is provoked and where it is needed “, noted, from the information room, the government representative, Giannis Oikonomou.

At the same time, government officials say they are satisfied with the results of Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ presence in Zagreb. “The visit reaffirmed the excellent level of bilateral relations and provided an opportunity to review cooperation at bilateral, regional and European levels,” the message read, as the prime minister had another opportunity to provide detailed information on illegal behavior. of Turkey in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, the aggressive rhetoric and actions that violate international law, declaring Athens’ firm commitment to good faith dialogue on the basis of international legitimacy. Highlighting, as he did during his recent visit to Bulgaria, the leading role of Greece in the Balkan Peninsula, Kyriakos Mitsotakis also stood at the forefront of the European perspective for the countries of the Western Balkans, while not failing to focus his attention on the critical of the refugee-immigrant, informing about the continued instrumentalization of the issue by the neighbor to achieve political goals, on the occasion of the upcoming two-year anniversary of the events in Evros in March 2020. “Our country’s position on this issue is “It is based on humanity on the one hand and on security on the other: on guarding the European and national borders but also on rescuing the persecuted people”, stressed Mr. Mitsotakis.