Among the NATO countries, Turkey has always maintained a relatively independent position. In the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Turkey, unlike other allies, has refused to provide ** support to Ukraine. In regional affairs, Turkey expressed dissatisfaction with the position of the European Union and the United States in favor of Greece. Last year, the EU's support for Greece provoked a backlash from Turkey. Turkey regards Greece as an "old enemy" and is resolutely unwilling to compromise. Recently, however, Turkey's position has changed.
The contradictions between Greece and Turkey date back to the Ottoman period. Historically, the Ottoman Empire ruled Greece for a long time, during which the Greek people suffered oppression and discrimination. Although Greece later became an independent state, many Greeks saw Turkey as an aggressor and oppressor, and this historical legacy became a major cause of tension between the two countries. In addition, there are territorial disputes between Greece and Turkey, mainly in the Aegean region. The Aegean Sea is home to numerous islands, some of which are claimed by both sides. Greece** refers to the Turkish-controlled islands as "robbed land", while Turkey considers itself deprived of the islands that historically belonged to it. This territorial dispute has led to tensions and deepening contradictions in relations between the two countries.
Both Greece and Turkey have ethnic problems. Turkey is home to a large Greek population, while Greece also has a significant Muslim population. Both countries are very sensitive to the national issue because they are worried that it may lead to the country's **, which has led to differences between the two countries on the national issue and exacerbated the contradictions between the two sides. At the same time, one of the long-standing disputes between Greece and Turkey is the Cyprus issue. The island is currently in a "state of fragmentation", with Greek**-backed Cypriots controlling the southern part and Turkey-backed Cypriots controlling the northern part. Greece and Turkey have repeatedly tried to solve this problem on the international stage, but have so far failed to find a solution. The Cyprus dispute is also one of the reasons for tensions between the two countries.
In recent years, the discovery of abundant natural gas resources in the Eastern Mediterranean has sparked a dispute between Greece and Turkey over the right to exploit the resource. Both sides claim sovereignty over the waters in question and are fighting for more gas rights. This dispute over resources has further strained relations between the two countries and deepened the contradictions.
In the past, Turkey has always regarded Greece as an enemy. However, Turkey** recently visited Greece and promised to usher in a "new era" in Turkish-Greek relations. The Greek Prime Minister said that despite the many contradictions and conflicts between the two countries, geopolitical relations dictate that the two countries must stand together. From these rhetoric, it can be seen that Greece is actively accepting Turkey's goodwill in order to repair relations between the two countries.
Why, then, did Turkey choose to take the initiative to improve relations with Greece at this point in time?There is a certain motive for this. Related to this is Turkey's relations with the United States. Turkey has made a number of demands to the United States to block Sweden's accession to NATO, including the purchase of advanced fighter jets. However, the US Congress rejected Turkey's request on the grounds of "threatening the security of Greece." Turkey is now actively repairing relations with Greece, intending to remove the reason for the US Congress to use this as a pretext for rejecting its demands. It is foreseeable that Turkey** will then ask the United States ** to agree to provide fighter jets, otherwise it will resolutely oppose Sweden's accession to NATO.
In general, relations between Greece and Turkey have long been strained. Factors such as history, territorial disputes, ethnic issues, the Cyprus problem, and resource disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean have all added fuel to the contradictions between the two countries. However, the recent visit of Turkey** to Greece and its promise to improve relations has led to a turnaround in relations between the two countries. Turkey**'s motives may be related to its demand for American fighter jets. This new situation has also brought new opportunities for cooperation between the two sides. However, to achieve true reconciliation and cooperation, the two sides need close cooperation, mutual respect and dialogue on an equal footing, and seek compromises on sensitive issues such as historical and territorial disputes. Only by working together can Greece and Turkey truly usher in a "new era" in relations.