euro|topics - Alexis Papachelas

22/11/2008

English
Deutsch
Français

Español

Papachelas, Alexis

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

I Kathimerini - Greece | 03/04/2008

Greece needs nerves to veto Macedonia's entry into NATO

Greece is expected to block Macedonia's entry into NATO because it objects to the use of that name. Alexis Papachelas writes that this move will not be popular at the NATO summit in Bucharest. "Greece will get slammed on a global scale. Few understand its position and no one, but no one, knows what we're on about when we start going a few hundred years back in history. Greece has strong arguments that do not need to be corroborated by archaeologists. As Archbishop Iakovos used to say – with that rare combination of Halki Seminary wisdom and Madison Avenue marketing smarts – 'Americans stop listening when you go back too far. Talk to them about business interests and security, and they'll get it.' ... Let us face Washington with the calm, confident manner of a country that has nothing to fear, and say, 'Sorry to ruin the party, but these are our interests and those are yours.'"

I Kathimerini - Greece | 21/02/2007

Limited communication between Athens and Nicosia

"It can be awfully hard to get the feel of the Cyprus issue", comments the journalist Alexis Papachelas. "News editors consider it a dull subject that doesn't sell. On the other hand, it's a very controversial issue: One wrong move can destroy a government. ... The relationship between Athens and Nicosia has never been a clear, straight affair. But recent events are of major concern. Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos does not hesitate to take initiatives such as Nicosia's oil exploration plans [a bidding process has been opend by the Cypriot government to licence offshore oil and gas exploration] without even bothering to notify Athens. The question, of course, is why Greece should always stand by Cyprus when Nicosia does not feel obliged to consult Athens on moves that impact on Greek interests. ... Past deadlocks were overcome as Athens and Nicosia knew that they would both lose out in the event of a serious crisis. Let's hope that a rupture won't occur this time, as a new crisis is in the offing."

» Index of Authors

Bookmark this page at