Xenophon Paper 2 pdf - ICBSS

Based on its experience from EU integration, Greece pursued a systematic policy of
facilitating the integration of its northern region in the NATO and EU structures as the
best tool of long-term and well rooted stability. NATO membership would provide an
immediate security umbrella while EU accession would require the fundamental reform
and Europeanization of those societies. The Greek economy had long suffered from
closed borders in its North (i.e. Cold War period) which had kept the country away from
its neighbouring natural markets. The integration of Bulgaria and Romania in the EU shifted
the EU’s centre of gravity closer to Greece and ended its geographical isolation from
the rest of EU territory. Greece has supported with the same intensity the political
dialogue between the Euroatlantic structures and the countries in the Caucasus as well
as with Ukraine, in the same logic.
Bilateral affairs between Greece and several of the Black Sea countries (Moldova,
Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Ukraine) develop within the framework of the European
Neighbourhood Policy, the new policy device of the EU towards the region. In its bilateral
relations with the Black Sea countries, Greece has employed the EU approach as far
as security issues are concerned:
- the conclusion of political and economic reforms, along the democratisation process
and the establishment of the rule of law;
- the security of energy pipelines and of the supply of oil and gas;
- peace and stability in the region through the resolution of the ‘frozen’ - conflicts
within the existing mechanisms of the international community.
As far as the ‘frozen’ conflicts are concerned, the position of Greece has been evolving
around the following pillars:
- peaceful resolution of conflicts through the international community;
- respect of territorial integrity and state sovereignty;
- respect of the national and specific cultural identity of each group of people within
a state, of the rule of law, democratic governance and of individual and communal
rights.
Black Sea regionalism and integration of the countries of the region into the Euroatlantic
structures have been treated by Greece as mutually reinforcing processes.
A business driven regional interest?
Despite the fact that Greece is not a Black Sea littoral state, it has long cultivated its Black
Sea identity stressing its links with the peoples and the destiny of the region. History
has been a tool often used to underline the longstanding interests of Greece in the area.
Population of Greek origin has been always present in the countries neighbouring the
Black Sea and creating economic, cultural and political ties with the Greek mainland.
72 UNFOLDING THE BLACK SEA ECONOMIC COOPERATION VIEWS FROM THE REGION