The Aegean Conflict

Abstract

The theatre of the most recent NATO operation is on the territories of two of its member states of which Greece is also a member of the European Union. The importance of the deployment was not questioned at the February 11 2016 NATO Defenece Ministers’ Meeting and the European Union is cooperating with Turkey to enhance a solution for the Migrant Crisis. However, it is not only the migrants that add to distress over the two sides of the Aegean. The conflict between Turkey, struggling with internal conflicts and Greece, experiencing the most severe economic crisis since WWII may have a negative impact on the efficacy of the international cooperation. Recognizing, that it is essential in an operation to be aware of the bilateral disputes where the interest of two participating Allies is somewhat conflicting; this article outlines the Greco-Turkish conflicts, the outstanding economic and diplomatic events, the situation of the two countries in the international security architectures in a chronological order and summarizes the provisions required to the successful resolution of the conflict.