Greek media: Türkiye no longer prioritises Greece in foreign policy

Greek media outlet Kathimerini is paying close attention to Türkiye's growing influence in global politics and its shifting approach toward Greece.

It emphasizes Türkiye is taking diplomatic steps worldwide, establishing direct contacts with the U.S., Russia, China, and Gulf countries, and is no longer just a regional power, Caliber.Az reports.

The analytical article discusses Türkiye's determination to defend its national interests in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean. However, Ankara no longer considers Greece a priority in its foreign policy. According to the newspaper, Athens has become a secondary issue amid Türkiye's growing strategic initiatives.

"Greece is no longer a priority in Türkiye’s foreign policy. Ankara engages directly with leading global players on issues far more significant than the Aegean continental shelf or the Athens Flight Information Region. This does not mean that Greece is no longer seen as an issue. The Turks deal with us out of necessity because we are a neighbour that potentially affects their vital areas. They have border disputes with us, which they view as secondary. But these matters touch upon Türkiye’s national interests, and Ankara is determined to defend them," the article states.

Before Ankara decides to handle these matters on its own terms, Greeks “would be wise to settle these issues bilaterally,” the author advises.

Kathimerini also notes that Türkiye strongly advocates for the demilitarization of the eastern Aegean islands and the protection of the Turkish minority’s rights in Western Thrace in accordance with the Treaty of Lausanne. It is emphasized that Greece cannot ignore Türkiye on issues such as the Aegean continental shelf and the status of the islands, adding that Ankara will not back down from these matters.

"Where did all this come from? Of course, from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. While Türkiye sought to maintain ties with the West and Europe, Turkish-Greek relations were one of the priorities of Turkish foreign policy. Since Erdoğan came to power in Türkiye, he has developed regional strategies independent of the West and, therefore, unaffected by the state of Turkish-Greek relations. Today’s Türkiye is a completely different country from the Türkiye of 1974. We now share a border with a country that considers itself a global power," the article concludes.

By Khagan Isayev