euro|topics - Costas Iordanidis

02/12/2008

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Iordanidis, Costas

3 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.

I Kathimerini - Greece | 15/05/2007

Greece needs to reconsider its relationship with Turkey

"A 'special relationship' between Ankara and the EU, which is being proposed by Mr Sarkozy [France's president-elect] and heartily backed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, is only viable if Turkey itself embraces this option, for its own reasons", notes the Greek columnist Costas Iordanidis. "The Greek government does not back this prospect because it would allow Ankara to gain all the benefits of EU membership without obliging it to cooperate with Greece subject to the principles of good neighborly relations. The Cypriot government has more or less the same stance. ... The entrance of Sarkozy onto the European political stage will prompt an essential slowdown, if not total paralysis, of Turkey's European-bound course. This calls for alertness from Greece's political leadership, which always thought that the European Commission would be able to solve its longstanding problems with Turkey."

I Kathimerini - Greece | 18/09/2006

Putin's interest in Greece

"For some reason Greek cooperation is important to both Moscow and Washington", reflects Costas Iordanidis, refering to Putin's recent visit in Greece. "More surprising than the niceties coming from the White House, a traditional ally of Greece, particularly after the Second World War, is the political overture from the Russian leader that was sealed with a significant energy deal. ... The Russian president is clearly trying to reduce dependence on Turkey and consolidate alternative routes for the transfer of Russian oil and gas to Europe. Although Washington backed the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline, it will not be too keen about the prospect of a gas pipeline in the Aegean which would increase Europe's energy dependence on Russia. Undaunted, Putin is set to meet with the French president and the German chancellor in Paris on September 23."

I Kathimerini - Greece | 15/09/2006

Europe's relations with Turkey

"The forthcoming European Commission report on Turkey's progress [due to be published on the 24th of October] is expected to show Ankara a few red cards", writes Costas Iordanidis. "French presidential contender Nicolas Sarkozy warned last week that as long as Turkey fails to see that the EU is a union of 25 members, talks between the bloc and the predominantly Muslim nation must freeze. Britain stands in opposition to Sarkozy, insisting that Turkey must not be tilted off the European track - the prospect of putting Ankara's EU talks on hold would be a disaster for the British government. Britain fears that a breakdown in negotiations would require a unanimous decision to revive them. ... Bakoyannis [Greek Foreign Minister] is clearly in favor of the US-British viewpoint, which is also shared by some of her EU peers - yet not by the motors of European integration, France and Germany."

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