The Eastern Mediterranean needs new bridges of understanding, and Greece has the historical depth, geopolitical position, and self-confidence to build them. The region has long been a field of rivalry, but also of coexistence. Today, amid instability and upheaval, the eastern part of the Mediterranean is returning to the center of international developments.
From the conflicts in the Middle East and energy claims to uncertainty in Greek-Turkish relations and the perpetually unresolved Cyprus question, the Eastern Mediterranean is at once a challenge and an opportunity.
In this context, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s statement that Greece intends to invite all coastal states of the region to a common forum for dialogue is of great significance. If carried out, it could be the first step toward a new era of cooperation, stability, and respect for the International Law of the Sea.
The phrase “Greece has nothing to fear from dialogue” reflects a new, mature, and European approach to foreign policy. Dialogue is not a sign of weakness, but an act of self-assurance. In the modern era, a country’s real power depends not only on its military strength but also on its ability to foster an atmosphere of trust and cooperation.
Greece can turn dialogue into a tool of influence, reaffirming its role as a pillar of stability and understanding.
For a substantive regional security strategy to take shape in the Mediterranean, however, Turkey must also view this prospect through a different lens—one of cooperation and mutual trust. Stepping away from any element that signals aggressive intent—first and foremost, the casus belli—is a prerequisite for opening a new chapter of stability.
The casus belli has now been overtaken and effectively nullified in practice, as it serves no purpose. Moving beyond it would send a clear message that the era of threats belongs to the past and that dialogue can form the basis for a shared future of security and cooperation.
Cyprus remains the geostrategic linchpin for peace and maritime delimitation in the Eastern Mediterranean. As long as the island remains divided, the region’s stability will be incomplete and international law only partially operative.
Reunification and the normal functioning of the Republic of Cyprus concern not only the Cypriot people but the entire security architecture of the Mediterranean. A united Cyprus can become a natural hub for energy cooperation, infrastructure interconnection, and shared development.
In any case, peace in the Middle East is a necessary precondition for any serious regional initiative.
The conflicts in Gaza, the realignments in Syria, and Iran-Israel tensions demonstrate that instability is structural.
Given its standing and experience, Greece cannot confine itself to the role of bystander. It ought to be a force of reason, de-escalation, and defense of humanitarian law. Through active participation in peace initiatives and by strengthening energy diplomacy, it can act as a catalyst for stability and understanding. The international conjuncture is both critical and favorable. The United States encourages the resolution of outstanding issues, while the European Union seeks strategic autonomy.
Within this framework, Greece has the capacity to emerge as a soft power with global credibility and regional influence—not through slogans, but through realistic proposals and a steady vision.
History shows that states that are afraid to act remain spectators to events. By contrast, those that dare to build bridges and make proposals shape the future. Today, Greece has the opportunity to prove that it is not merely Europe’s geographical edge, but its political and cultural bridge to the East.
The Eastern Mediterranean can be transformed into a space of peaceful coexistence, development, and dialogue. What is needed is strategic consistency, will, and foresight—because the same sea that once divided can today unite.