Just returned from a trip to the Greek islands where I was visiting family and friends.
There are of course severe problems with the state of the Greek economy but people are trying to deal with the issues in practical ways. There is unrest and strikes are a continous feature.
The major subject for discussion seems to be the threats made by Turkey over the right to explore natural reserves under the sea in the south of the Republic of Cyprus. Turkey has issued a warning that if Cyprus goes ahead with the tests they will send the fleet in to stop them. This has of course forced Greece to warn Turkey that any act of hostility against the Republic of Cyprus would be seen as an act of war against the Greek state, so we seem to be back to square one. In addition it would appear that any action against Cyprus right to explore will also be an act of aggression against EU territory so a country that wishes to join the EU is prepared to wage war against the club that it wishes to join?
The Cyprus problem is of course complex by nature but I wish that the leaders of the two communities come to their senses and find a just solution before this unstable region is pushed back into a war situation which will be catastrophic. A solution based on numerous UN resolutions based on a bi communal federation is the only way out. Neither Turkey or Greece should have the right to interfere and both states should accept that Cyrus is an independent sovereign country capable of running their own affairs. All foreign troops should be removed from the island following a solution.
No comments:
Post a Comment