Xenophon Paper 2 pdf - ICBSS

As far as Greek-Russian relations are concerned, they have been historically close,
based on strategic cooperation on global issues. Both countries have been on the same
side in voting in the UN framework and particularly on issues in Southeast Europe (e.g.
the war against Serbia in 1999). Greece has also pursued a policy of maintaining political
dialogue and a strategic partnership between the EU and Russia acknowledging that
the convergence of their interests in Europe is a prerequisite for the stability of the
continent. Beyond the historical links between the two countries (128,000 Greeks live
in Russia 12 ) there is a strong economic rationale that also underscores close Russian-
Greece relations, related mainly to the energy sector.
Greece has been an energy consumer, with Russian gas covering about 82% of its gas
demands. One of the foremost concerns not only for Greece but worldwide is energy
security and the creation of sustainable routes. The country’s concerns as an energy
consumer but even more its role in the energy transit map are absolutely linked to the
Black Sea. The Black Sea region has lately been brought to the limelight due to important
developments that alter the energy field and create a new geopolitical environment.
One of those developments was the Burgas – Alexandroupoli pipeline agreement, signed
on 15 March 2007 in Athens by the Greek prime minister, the Russian president and the
prime minister of Bulgaria. The agreement entails the construction of a pipeline transferring
oil from the Black Sea Bulgaria port of Burgas to the Aegean Greek port of
Alexandroupoli. 13
Greece has an extended web of bilateral relations with all other Black Sea countries
too. Bilateral links of Greece with its northern neighbours in the Balkans and the Caucasus
are primarily focused on developing economic cooperation through trade and investments
as well as on addressing common ‘soft’ security threats such as illegal trafficking in
people, arms, and drugs. During the early 1990s Greece was confronted with new policy
challenges resulting from the flow of immigrants from the Black Sea region. It is estimated
that today immigrants represent almost 10% of the country’s population. The large
number of immigrants has necessitated intensive dialogue, policy coordination and
deeper cooperation between Greece and authorities of the Black Sea countries. At the
same time, that ‘natural’ flow of people has generated a sense of ‘social’ integration
cross-border (i.e. people to people communication and interaction) which could foster
the sense of a regional identity – if assisted properly. Immigration has helped the
economies in the region, providing Greece with needed labour and the countries of
origin with sizable remittances and workers who returned to their homelands experienced
in the functioning of a modern market economy.
12 See information available on http://www.mfa.gr.
13 The pipeline will be owned by numerous companies and state interests, more specifically the Russian
companies Rosneft, Transneft, and Gaspromneft will acquire 51 percent.
X E N O P H O N P A P E R no 2 71