Europe maintains a stance of wait-and-see, offering well-wishing statements about a smooth democratic transition and the protection of all national and religious minorities in Syria. This is because the downfall of Assad took European capitals by surprise, and they currently have no access to any of the major players involved in the “great game” that has unfolded.

• December 9, 2024
• Published in World

“The country must be able to defend itself and alone,” said National Defence Minister Nikos Dendias, speaking at the forum of the Oikonomikos Tachydromos newspaper. Against the backdrop of cruel geopolitical developments, but also the intensifying Turkish provocativeness, “we have to be able to stand alone. I have a firm belief that we will not be alone,” the minister continued, saying that “to be respected, you have to be able to defend yourself.”

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized that the European Council and the European Commission are increasingly aligning with Greece’s positions on migration, particularly highlighting the significance of border protection and the external dimension of the issue. Speaking before the European Council meeting, he stated: