Varosha

The Turkish occupied forces in Cyprus have proceeded to carry out their threat to open the town of Varosha which has been a ghost town since the 1974 Turkish invasions of Cyprus. This move has been universally condemned. Furthermore, Greece and Cyprus have threatened to renew efforts to pressure the European Union to impose sanctions on Turkey.

Greece and Cyprus do not want a war with Turkey. But Turkish actions are extreme and the Erdogan government continues to provoke. It is abundantly clear that President Erdogan is too fanatical to be reasoned with. The Greek Government continues to pursue diplomacy by meeting with Turkish officials.

This is understandable as all efforts to avoid war should made. But can war really be avoided when the Turks openly boast about the slaughter of Greeks at Smyrna in 1922? Erdogan has made very clear that he is a rogue leader. He proceeded to convert Hagia Sophia into a Mosque and is proceeding accordingly with his plans to promote Turkish expansionism in the Aegean Sea and in Cyprus.

The Greeks need to keep open lines of communication with Washington and Moscow. Likewise, with European States that are pro Greek such as Paris, Vienna, and Rome. Germany should be shunned at the diplomatic level as the Germans are only concerned with appeasing Turkey. Germany’s stance in favor of appeasing Turkey to avoid Ankara’s threats to flood Europe with Middle Eastern refugees is pathetic.

The Russian government has condemned the Turkish moves in Varosha and this should be sign as a welcome show of support by Greece and Cyprus. Likewise, President Donald Trump has publicly accused Turkey of undermining the war against Syria. Athens and Nicosia must work extra hard to win support from both Washington and Moscow in their fight against Turkey.

Greece’s closest ally right now is Armenia which is fighting a defensive war against Azerbaijan. It is crucial that Greece and Cyprus assist Armenia in any way possible. Just as Turkey was the sponsor of jihadism during the Syrian war, Ankara is again sponsoring jihadists who are fighting alongside Azerbaijan.

In the days and weeks to come, we will see how democratic and civilized the western world really is. Will western governments stand up for the Armenians and the Greeks against Turkish jihadism and expansionism?