Greece Professor Serbos: Türkiye's International Weight Is Increasing, Suggests New Strategies for Greece

MİLLİYET.COM.TR / A remarkable assessment of Turkey's rising diplomatic and strategic weight has been made in Greece. International Relations Professor Sotiris Serbos participated in Nikos Hatzinikolaou's program on Realfm 97.8 and evaluated Türkiye-Greece relations and the strategic options before Athens. In Serbos' words, remarkable findings came to the fore that the recently changing international balances have expanded Turkey's field of action.

Serbos said that Greece-Türkiye relations have reached a different point for about a year, especially for Ankara.

'IT STARTED TO CHANGE AS OF 2025'

Stating that Turkey started to raise its relations with the West to high levels, especially in the 2023 and 2024 period, Serbos stated that at that time, Ankara had many reasons to act more cautiously in relations with a country in the Western alliance such as Greece.

However, according to Serbos, the picture in the international system started to change as of 2025. Stating that the strategic priorities of the new US administration and President Donald Trump, as well as Europe's approach after the Ukraine war, were effective in this change, Serbos said that the US's distance from Europe and Europe's attitude towards some developments have created a new balance.

Serbos especially pointed out the importance of the defense industry for Europe and emphasized that Turkey's capacity in this field is also important for Europe.

'MORE OPPORTUNITIES'

The Greek professor said that the changing environment offers new opportunities for Turkey to further develop its international role and influence. Serbos stated that Ankara sees more opportunities not only to maintain its current position but also to increase its influence within the changing international system.

"Türkiye sees more opportunities to further develop its role and influence in this environment," said Serbos, adding that Ankara is at a high level diplomatically. Arguing that this situation was clearly seen at the NATO Summit, Serbos drew attention to Turkey's increasing self-confidence.

2'A MORE SELF-CONFIDENT Türkiye'

According to Serbos, one of the most important consequences of changing global balances for Türkiye is that Ankara can act more confidently.

Stating that Turkey sees the international environment as an element that creates more opportunities for itself, Serbos said that this should be evaluated not only in the context of current crises but also in terms of long-term strategy for Athens.

'IT IS NOT A CONTINENTAL SHELF ISSUE'

Referring to the submarine cable debate, Serbos said that he did not find it appropriate for the Greek public to treat the issue as a continental shelf issue.

"This is open sea. This makes no sense, because drilling and cables will not cause permanent damage to the seabed," said Serbos, arguing that the issue is not a continental shelf issue.

'DETERRENCE IS NOT ENOUGH'

The program also discussed what strategy Greece should follow from now on.

Serbos argued that deterrence against Turkey is necessary, but that it alone will not be sufficient, and said that Athens should use diplomatic channels more effectively.

'WHAT SHOULD WE DO DIFFERENT? TWO STRATEGIES THAT DRAW ATTENTION

Serbos' "What should we do differently?" A two-strategy approach was at the center of his answer to the question. Stating that Greece should not shape its policy towards Turkey solely on deterrence, Serbos asked for more active steps to be taken in the diplomatic field.

“A BROADER FRAMEWORK SHOULD HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATED WITH THE WEST”

First of all, Serbos stated that Greece had an important opportunity to negotiate with the West in a broader framework after the Russia-Ukraine war, but this opportunity was not utilized sufficiently.

Serbos argued that Greece should have a more active negotiation with the West after the start of the war, and said that how the West wants to see the Aegean in the future should also be questioned.

At this point, Serbos also drew attention to Europe's special relations with Turkey and claimed that Greece should create a more comprehensive framework with its Western allies regarding Turkey, instead of acting only within the framework of bilateral relations.

'WE SHOULD TAKE A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN THE MIDDLE EAST'

The second leg of the strategy proposed by Serbos was the Middle East. Stating that Greece can take on a more active mediation role in the region, Serbos said that a new window has been opened for diplomacy, especially after the war.

'WIND ON TURKISH SAIL'

Finally, the most striking part of Serbos' statements was his words regarding the field of action that Turkey gained from the changing international system.

Stating that Greece should bring its own issues to the international agenda more strongly, Serbos argued that Athens should no longer remain in a position that only reacts to Turkey's moves.

Accordingly, Greece should bring its own problems and demands to international platforms, relate them to the security and strategic priorities of the West, and not leave the gaps in the diplomatic field to Turkey.