Greece has emerged as one of the strongest advocates for Turkey's accession to the European Union and has exerted some moderate pressure on the Republic of Cyprus to show flexibility vis-a-vis Turkish intransigence. However, Greece has declined from openly antagonizing Nicosia and has failed to come up with an alternative strategy towards Turkey in case negotiations with the EU stumble.
Turkey, on the eve of important elections, finds itself in a corner defending an unattainable position on Cyprus. Turkey has decided to spend valuable political capital in a battle it cannot win at a time when the wider enlargement momentum is losing traction in Europe. Furthermore, Turkey continues to antagonize the Greek Orthodox Patriarch and refuses to substantially restore some of the rights of the dwindling Greek minority of Istanbul. Overall, current Turkish foreign policy is failing to align domestic public opinion with Turkey's long-term national interest. If this interest lies with EU accession, then Turkey should quickly put the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus behind them, take advantage of the presence of the Patriarch's presence in Turkey and project a post-nationalist image compatible with the wider European project.
Much of the Greek-Turkish relationship today passes through Brussels. Given the difficulties in EU-Turkey negotiations, it's imperative that the relationship develops some immunity from the downturns in Brussels.
Dimitris Keridis is the Constantine Karamanlis Associate Professor in Hellenic and Southeastern European Studies at the Fletcher School, Tufts University and a Professor of International Politics at the University of Macedonia, Greece. In the past, he was the director of the Kokkalis Foundation in Athens and of the Kokkalis Program in Southeastern and East-Central Europe at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.
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