Malcolm Rivera
Ancient Greek diplomacy has had a profound influence on the development of Western thought and politics, with its notions of rational thought, argumentation, and competition forming the foundation of modern-day diplomacy. The term 'diplomacy' itself is derived from the ancient Greek 'δῐ́πλωμᾰ' (diploma), which refers to a folded document that granted privileges to its bearer. Ancient Greece's over 1,000 city-states, or 'polis', provided a unique environment for the evolution of diplomacy, with their interdependence fostering a fertile ground for negotiation and power balance. While some consider ancient Greek diplomatic methods useless, others argue they were the most advanced for their time. In modern times, Greece has faced diplomatic challenges, including sovereignty disputes with Turkey and the Turkish occupation of Cyprus, which led to ethnic cleansing and the de facto division of the island. However, Greece maintains strong relations with countries like the UK, France, Italy, and its European Union allies, and has encouraged collaboration among its neighbours.
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What You'll Learn
Ancient Greek diplomacy
The Greeks' notions of rational thought, argumentation, and competition laid the foundation for modern thinking. Their diplomatic methods, employed in a warlike background, are considered by some to be useless, but by others to be the most advanced prior to modern times. The idea of 'common peace' from Ancient Greek diplomacy was a founding principle of the League of Nations and the UN Charter.
The Greeks had diplomatic interactions with the Persian Empire, which relied more on military might. In the final days of the Persian Empire, Darius III offered peace to Alexander of Macedonia based on 'ancient friendship and alliance'. This offer was refused, leading to the Greek conquest of the Persian Empire.
Overall, Ancient Greek diplomacy, with its focus on openness and transparency, and rational argumentation, has had a lasting impact on the development of diplomacy in the Western world.
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Foreign embassies and entrepreneurship
Foreign embassies play a crucial role in fostering entrepreneurship by creating connections and providing resources for entrepreneurs. They serve as a link between entrepreneurs and the host country's business ecosystem, offering a range of services to support business development.
Embassies actively promote economic empowerment and innovation by organizing events, fostering dialogue, and facilitating collaboration between entrepreneurs, investors, and government entities. For example, the US Embassy in New Delhi announced that Indian and Bhutanese delegates would attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in Palo Alto, California, in 2016. The event brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders in the entrepreneurship space, fostering international connections and potential partnerships.
Another instance of embassy support is the US Embassy in Armenia's efforts to establish The Global Good Fund and promote social entrepreneurship in the country. By hosting events and making local connections, the embassy helped create a platform for social entrepreneurship initiatives to take root and grow.
Embassies also provide practical support to entrepreneurs by offering business incubators and training programs. For instance, the US Embassy in New Delhi hosts Nexus, a business incubator that provides a nine-week training program for entrepreneurs. This type of support helps entrepreneurs gain the skills and resources they need to succeed in their ventures.
Additionally, embassies work to protect intellectual property rights and resolve trade disputes. The Office of Commercial and Business Affairs (CBA) within the US State Department, for example, assists American businesses overseas by providing commercial information, identifying market opportunities, and advocating on their behalf. The CBA also helps American firms navigate issues like corruption, bribery, and export controls in foreign markets, creating a more stable and secure environment for entrepreneurship to thrive.
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Greek relations with Turkey
The first official diplomatic contact between Greece and the Ottoman Empire was in 1830, with consular relations being established in 1834. In 1853, a Greek embassy was opened in Istanbul, and in 1923, it was transferred to Ankara when the Republic of Turkey was formed.
In the 1930s, a series of treaties were signed between the two countries, restoring relations and establishing a de facto alliance. Both countries agreed to the Treaty of Lausanne as the final settlement of their borders, pledged not to join opposing alliances, and agreed to stop their naval arms race. However, in 1964, Turkish Prime Minister İsmet İnönü renounced the Greco-Turkish Treaty of Friendship of 1930 and took actions against the Greek minority in Turkey.
Towards the end of the 20th century, several high-profile incidents occurred between the two countries. In 1986, a Greek soldier was shot dead by the border at the Evros River. In 1987, a Turkish survey ship almost triggered a war, and in 1995, a military crisis erupted over the sovereignty of an uninhabited island called Imia. In the 1990s, Greece pursued a policy of improving relations with Turkey's neighbours, such as Syria, Iran, and Armenia, which increased tensions between the two countries.
In the early 1970s, Turkey initiated a policy of contesting the sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction of Greece, aiming to change the territorial status quo provided in international treaties, particularly the Treaty of Lausanne. This marked a new chapter of tension in Greek-Turkish relations, with disputes over the Greek continental shelf and national airspace. In July 1974, Turkey invaded and occupied the northern portion of Cyprus, which continues to be a source of tension between the two countries.
In recent years, Türkiye's potential accession to the European Union has been a significant factor in Greek-Turkish relations. Greece has emphasised the importance of Türkiye fulfilling the accession criteria, including respecting the principle of good neighbourly relations and resolving differences peacefully.
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Greek relations with the European Union
Greece is one of the oldest member states of the European Union. The country has 21 representatives in the European Parliament and 12 representatives on the European Committee of the Regions, the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives. Greece also communicates with the EU through its permanent representation in Brussels, which acts as its embassy to the EU.
Greece has a European Commissioner, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, who is responsible for sustainable transport and tourism. Greek government representatives attend Council of the EU meetings several times a year, where national ministers meet to adopt EU laws and coordinate policies. During the six months when Greece holds the Council presidency, its ministers chair and help determine the agenda of Council meetings in the different policy areas, and facilitate dialogue with the other EU institutions.
Greece's integration into the EU has not been without its challenges. In 2004, it was revealed that Greek officials had falsified the budget paperwork that allowed the country to join the euro. The cost of hosting the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens also significantly increased the country's budget deficit. The 2007 Great Recession in the United States triggered a global banking crisis and worsened Greece’s inability to manage debts.
To avoid bankruptcy, Greece received bailouts totalling $267 billion between 2010 and 2015. As a condition of the loan, the Greek government agreed to enforce strict austerity measures, including tax reforms, cuts to public spending, reformation of labor laws, and the privatisation of state-held assets. These measures were met with massive protests and strikes across Greece, and in 2015, Prime Minister Tsipras resigned from office and called a snap election, only to be re-elected and remain in office through 2017.
Despite these challenges, Greece remains an active participant in the EU, working towards the deepening and integration of the union. France has been a notable supporter of Greece, with President Macron calling for an end to strict austerity measures and expressing his desire for a united EU.
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Greek relations with the Arab World
Greece's relationship with the Arab world has been a crucial component of the country's diplomatic strategy. Historically, Greek relations with the Arab world have focused on countries such as Egypt, Syria, Libya, and other Mediterranean nations, as well as support for the Palestinian cause and cold relations with Israel.
Post-World War II Greek foreign policy towards the Arab world can be divided into several key periods, with the country's relationship with the Arab world remaining a pillar of its diplomacy. During this time, Greece's approach to the Arab world has often been a means to two different ends: strengthening relations with Western powers and responding to Turkish initiatives in the region. This dynamic has resulted in a competitive zero-sum mentality in Greek-Turkish regional relations.
The 2011 Arab Spring further shifted cross-Mediterranean relations, with Turkey becoming more aggressive and ambitious, challenging the regional status quo and threatening Greece with its proximity and history of antagonism. In contrast, Greece has strengthened its ties with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, signing a "strategic partnership" agreement with the UAE in 2020, enhancing cooperation in defence, foreign policy, trade, development, tourism, energy, and other sectors.
Greece's role in linking the European Union (EU) and the Arab world is also significant. While academic literature has yet to fully explore this re-orientation of Greek foreign policy, the country's relations with the Arab world are shaped by historical, economic, and sociocultural linkages that continue to be relevant today.
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