The Balkan region has always been an area of tensions and political rivalries. In recent years, however, the tension seems to be increasing, with multiple fronts opening up on the Greek horizon.
Lately, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has been showing strength, both within his borders and in his foreign policy. The operation in Syria and growing tolerance for provocations in the eastern Mediterranean have created strong concerns in the wider region.
In the meantime, the Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, somehow invades the Greek political scene. His decision to appear in Athens, speaking to Albanian citizens living there, can be interpreted as a challenge or an attempt to influence inside Greece, especially with the upcoming elections in neighboring Albania.
However, another source of tension comes from Skopje. Recent elections there brought to power VMRO, a party with strong nationalist roots and opposed to the Prespa accord. This raises new concerns for stability in the region, as this agreement was an important step towards resolving the differences between the two countries.
These political developments are a challenge for Greece and the wider region. The need for diplomatic skill and steady political leadership is imperative in order to meet the challenges and ensure peace and stability in the region. Only in this way can the nightmare that threatens to descend upon the Balkans be avoided.
sources
- “Turkey's Erdogan flexes muscles with Syria operation” – Reuters
- "Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama to visit Athens on Sunday" - Ekathimerini
- "VMRO-DPMNE wins North Macedonia parliamentary election" - Al Jazeera
- “North Macedonia's pro-Western SDSM party concedes election defeat” – Reuters
- "Greece warns North Macedonia after VMRO-DPMNE election victory" - DW
- "Analysis: How North Macedonia's election will impact EU-NATO future" – Euronews
- "Turkey's Erdogan: Europe must respect Turkish Cypriots' rights" – Anadolu Agency
- "Albanian PM Rama to visit Greece despite tensions" – Balkan Insight
From the journalistic team of Greek News and Radio FL
photo skydesign, Image license by freepik.com
