A synoptic description of the present geopolitical situation of Hellas (Greece) and its neighbourhood

A synoptic description of the present geopolitical situation of Hellas (Greece) and its
neighbourhood

Nowadays, the global interpretation of prοblems of the Geopolitical System Middle East-East Μediterranean-Βalkan Peninsula-Caucasus can be carried out on three essential fields: a) The study and knowledge of the history of the peoples of this geographical zone - in particular the history of the famous ‘‘Eastern Question’’. This comprehension should be exempted from nationalist-chauvinistic alibi and short-sights as well as from Occident-centric visions and historical revisionism combined with self-interest (for a state either a private part) motives. b) The understanding of conditions of functioning and evolution of the entire System as well as of its two Subsystems: the Balkans and the larger Middle East. This System has to be examined also in view of the hearths (places) threatened by destabilization. c) The redefinition of the conception of democracy and the recomposition of its concept as political, social, economic and ecological democracy.
Like in most of countries, since last months of 2008, in Greece also the economic situation is getting more difficult. In Greece during last 17-18 recent years have fled a very big number of immigrants (and refugees) from different countries and different areas of the Globe (especially from the countries of East Europe, countries of Africa, of Middle East. Since 1992, almost a half (40-45%) of the immigrants established in our country have come from Albania. A lot of the refugees who have entered and continue to enter into Greece during the last decade are Muslims who have come from Muslim countries of Middle East (i.e. Irak, Afganistan, Pakistan etc.).
These facts have to be considered in view of a sum of factors. As a matter of fact, there are problems with some neighbouring countries.
Especially, there is a permanent multiple differend between Greece and Turkey. Turkey is very bigger than Greece in population data (98% of its population are muslims, at least ‘‘culturally muslims’’) and its life is dominated by armed forces, which in recent years shares the rule of country with an ''islamic-modernist'' party. It has an hegemonistic, expansionnist policy. Since 1974, Turkey occupies the 40% of the territory of Cyprus Republic, an island of East Mediterranean, with 82% of its populatin Greeks (Orthodox Christians). It's a complicated and dangerous situation.
Especially important are interests at stake in Aegean Sea (Αιγαίο Πέλαγος). Since 1974, people hear and read about the famous claims of Turks in the Aegean Sea. But even Greek common opinion have difficulty to see in a clear way the foggy situation in that consist and that cover these claims. The periodical escalation of Turkish provocations in Aegean Sea is accidental; The choice of places where the pilots of Turkish Air Force realize the frequent violations of the Hellenic Air Space is casual; The issue of the aviation corridors of the island of Rhodes that has arisen by Ankara is also accidental;
Let’s start this survey from 1974. Then the vice-president of USA, the Greek-American Spiro Agnew as well as other dignitaries of USA had stated publicly that in Aegean Sea do not exist either a drop of oil, saying characteristically that «whoever finds out even a glass of oil in Aegean Sea, let’s bring it to me to drink it». News, reports and comments in Greek as well as in American press have repeatedly canalized into the public the conviction that all researches relative to the quest for petroleum deposits in Aegean Sea have been without satisfactory results, have proved non fruitful. The same tactics had followed various statesmen of United Kingdom regarding Cyprus (culminating) by the way of the High Commissioner Edward Clay on 23 Αpril 2001, when he hastened to declare that «in Cyprus exists so much οil as peanut butter under Μanchester».
During the period of dictatorship in Greece (after 1967) it was first rumoured and has been known that in the broader region between Thasos and Kavala exist oil deposits. At this time had been carried out a lot of oil researches and had been found out 5 οil hοrizons. Four (4) of them were located within Greek territorial waters of 6 miles and one (1) out of 6 miles but within Greek continental shelf. Among all the oil hοrizons located within Greek territorial waters of 6 miles, 2 were directly exploitable but of limited oil potential. Nevertheless, as if by magic, the study concerning 5th horizon located out of 6 miles... has disappeared! At the same period of time Αnkara begun to show by a factual way on the diplomatic level its interest about this region. However, the cost of mining and refinement of oil had not allowed Ankara to activate its ‘‘war machinery’’. Else, Turkey had fixed as its priority the district of Mossul (known since a long time for its oil riches) as well as the oil deposits of Cyprus Republic!
Besides, Hellenic Republic faces problems of irredentism with some neighbour countries. During last years, a number of Albanian nationalists have rise the so-called issue of ‘‘Cams/Cameria’’, some of them saying that the region of Greece called (since the Antiquity) Epirus (in Greek means ‘‘infinite country’’) should be annexed to Albania. They are the advocates of the so-called Great Albania. In addition, the hot-headed nationalist leaders of FYROM (Skopje) continue to claim that the Slavs of this State are of ‘‘Macedonian’’ nationality, being the descendants of ancient Macedonians and of Alexander the Great.

Theodoros Batrakoulis
PhD of Geopolitics