Greeks and Turks have much in common culturally, yet share a troubled past. Both sides would suffer if the conflict over gas reserves in the Mediterranean were to escalate further.
My grandmother used to live in the northern Greek city of Ioannina. She was a wonderful woman, who loved me dearly and enjoyed cooking for me. However, she would always tell me to finish my lunch before going outside to play football because if I didn’t, the Turks would kidnap me. Maybe this strange threat explains why I have been a bit overweight much my life.
It was years later when I understood the historical backstory to grandmothers threat. The city of Ioannina had, until the early 20th century, belonged to the Ottoman Empire. It was only after the Balkan Wars in 1913 that the city became Greek. My grandmother had been a citizen — or rather subservient subject — of the Ottoman Empire.
With growing resentment towards this state of affairs, the Greeks staged an uprising against the Ottomans. The rebellion was not only successful, but it also entered the national mythology of the contemporary Greek people.
Most nations embellish how the country was founded until it stretches into myth. Yet foundational myths are just that: myths. They tend to downplay ones wrongdoings while highlighting ones achievements. The myths surrounding the German Empire’s founding in 1871 and the Turkish Republic’s founding in 1923 are comparable. Not to mention the Swiss case, which incorporated folktale hero marksman William Tell into their foundational myth.
The relationship between Turkey and Greece has been fraught with tension and animosity for centuries, rooted in a complex history of conflict, competition, and deep-seated mistrust. This article delves into the historical roots of this hatred, exploring the key events and factors that have shaped the current state of affairs.
A Legacy of Historical Hatred:
The seeds of discord were sown during the Greek War of Independence in the early 19th century where the rising tide of nationalism against the Ottoman Empire and Christian fervor against Islam clashed. This conflict shaped Greece’s perspective of Turkey, while the Turkish War of Independence, led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk solidified the animosity. The subsequent ethnic cleansing campaigns in both countries further fueled the flames of hatred, leaving a lasting legacy of mistrust.
Regional Rivalry and Maritime Disputes:
The Cyprus issue of the 1960s and 1970s added another layer of complexity to the relationship. Ethnic tensions between Turkish and Greek Cypriots erupted into violence, leading to Turkey’s military intervention in 1974. The resulting division of Cyprus into a Turkish-controlled north and an internationally recognized Greek-controlled south remains a major point of contention.
Furthermore, the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean have become arenas for maritime disputes. Turkey’s exploration of natural resources in these waters, coupled with its claims over disputed islands and islets, has sparked tensions with Greece, which sees these actions as violations of its territorial sovereignty.
Political Islam and the Ottoman Legacy:
The rise of political Islam in Turkey under the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has further complicated the relationship. Greece perceives this as a resurgence of Ottoman ambitions, evoking memories of past suffering under Ottoman rule. This perception fuels anxieties about Turkey’s intentions in the region.
Nationalism and European Union Membership:
Nationalism plays a significant role in both countries, leading to assertive stances and uncompromising positions. Greece’s membership in the European Union, while Turkey’s repeated denials of membership, contribute to a sense of imbalance and frustration.
The historical baggage, regional competition, and political ideologies have created a volatile mix that perpetuates the animosity between Turkey and Greece. The lack of trust and understanding makes it difficult to find common ground and resolve outstanding issues. The Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean remain potential flashpoints, with any skirmishes or conflicts potentially escalating into full-blown antagonism.
Additional Considerations:
- The role of external actors, such as the European Union and the United States, in mediating the conflict.
- The potential for economic cooperation and cultural exchange to bridge the divide.
- The importance of education and dialogue in fostering understanding and reconciliation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- What are the main reasons for the tension between Turkey and Greece?
The main reasons for the tension between Turkey and Greece include historical hatred, regional competition, maritime disputes, political Islam, and nationalism.
- What is the role of the Cyprus issue in the conflict?
The Cyprus issue is a major point of contention between Turkey and Greece, as Turkey’s military intervention in 1974 and the subsequent division of the island remain unresolved.
- How can the relationship between Turkey and Greece be improved?
Improving the relationship between Turkey and Greece requires addressing the historical baggage, fostering trust, and finding common ground on issues such as maritime disputes and the Cyprus issue.
- What is the role of the European Union in the conflict?
The European Union has played a mediating role in the conflict, but its membership of Greece and repeated denials of membership to Turkey have also contributed to tensions.
Additional Resources:
- The historical root of Turkey-Greece hatred – CGTN
- Why is there so much tension between Turkey and Greece? – Quora
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. It is essential to consult with qualified experts for accurate and up-to-date information on the complex issue of Turkey-Greece relations.
Saber-rattling is not the answer
And let us be courageous. Even the fierce rivals Eleftherios Venizelos, the former prime minister of Greece, and Kemal Atatürk, the former president of Turkey, were able to convene and deliberate on the potential for a Turkish-Greek Confederation in the eastern Mediterranean.
Though Turkish fears of having its territory divided make this idea unlikely to materialize, it has greater potential than saber-rattling.
Working on peaceful co-existence requires skillful lawmakers, rather than fervent nationalist. Along with a well-informed Greek and Turkish citizenry willing to speak up.
Myth vs. historical fact
The Greek founding myth tells of heroic, outnumbered Greeks who faced and defeated the Turks with the help of the Orthodox Church. Although the Greeks defeated the Turks and won their independence, they did receive a lot of outside assistance. For example, independence would not have been possible to achieve without the French, English, and Russians’ victory over the Ottoman-Egyptian fleet in the Battle of Navarino in 1827.
Maybe this explains why Turkish lawmakers still to this today feel the West is being overprotective of Greece. Meanwhile, Athens believes that Turkey has been spoiled by the West because it continues to receive NATO weapons, stands by while Ankara supports the northern third of Cyprus that broke away, and allows ardent nationalists to hold elected office. Furthermore, Greece, a NATO member, and Turkey are at odds over gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean.
The Turkish research vessel Oruc Reis is traveling to the eastern Mediterranean with military escort (picture: picture-alliance/AA/Ministry of National Defense).
It’s a common misconception that politicians are the ones who continue to inflame tensions, despite the desire of ordinary Greeks and Turks to coexist peacefully. I am not sure this is entirely accurate. Nevertheless, I am aware of the many similarities between Greeks and Turks, whether it be in terms of humor, food, music, or even a common experience with Weltschmerz.
Greek director Tassos Boulmetis’s highly acclaimed film A Touch of Spice explores a particularly challenging period in Greek-Turkish history. It narrates the made-up tale of Fanis, a Greek man who, in the years preceding the Cyprus Crisis, is driven from the Turkish city of Istanbul. In Athens, however, Fanis is rejected by his fellow countrymen, and labeled a Turk.
The movie illustrates how global politics have the power to drastically alter the lives of common people, leaving the silent majority grieving but unable to take action. Greece lauded A Touch of Spice as a profoundly moving film that evokes feelings of nostalgia and melancholy for bygone times.
The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, once an Orthodox church, is now a mosque: picture-alliance/AA/S. Zeki Fazlioglu
Many Greeks would sing a song in the 1970s, when Greece was still ruled by a military junta, about two friends named Yannis and Mehmet who sit around Istanbul and talk philosophy over wine. Mehmet claims in the song that even though Yannis believes in a Christian god and he believes in Allah, they both experience the same pain. After Turkey invades the northern portion of the island in response to Athens’ support for a military coup in Cyprus, Yannis and Mehmet are at a loss for words.
Although both nations have much in common culturally, this has not been reflected in both countries recent history. Greek-Turkish relations should be governed by rational decision-making, so our mutual admiration can flourish. Yet another military conflict between both sides would be to of detriment to us all.
Read more: EU to consider sanctions on Turkey over Mediterranean gas drilling
The “Green Line” in Nicosia separates the Republic of Cyprus from the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north: Loukianos liritsas/DW