THE EXOGENOUS INFLUENCE OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS' POLICIES ON GREEK-TURKISH CONFLICTUAL RELATIONS

Abstract

The article analyzes the influence of the new strategic concept of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on the resolution of the political conflict between Greece and Turkey. Political participation in the events in the Eastern Mediterranean, its consequences for Greek-Turkish relations are considered. The application of NATO’s new strategic concept in the Eastern Mediterranean is analyzed. The focus is on the example of NATO’s role in efforts to de-escalate Greek-Turkish tensions. The example of Greek-Turkish relations is important for two reasons: because of NATO’s renewed interest in the Eastern Mediterranean region, because the difficult relationship between the two countries could disrupt NATO’s unity. The article concludes that, while NATO’s goal is to adapt to changing security challenges, its new strategic concept has done little to de-escalate tensions between Greece and Turkey. Despite the Alliance’s collective defense and conflict resolution functions, long-standing disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean persist, often with increasing levels of intensity. As a result, NATO’s new strategic concept recognizes the difficulties in the Eastern Mediterranean, but does not introduce effective measures to de-escalate tensions. Although the document addresses the need for increased cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean and supports a range of security concerns (including territorial disputes, migration issues and competition for energy resources), there is no operational basis for resolving tensions between the two member states.