It has been said that foreign policy is really domestic policy with its hat on. In a sense, this is true. — former US Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, June 29, 1966.
And the truth is that a country's foreign policy carries all these small or large ideological, cultural and ethnic conflicts that unfold daily inside it. It incorporates, at the same time, however, the historical memory of a nation and is a sharp reflection of its positions.
In this chessboard, Greece and, by extension, its political leadership are consistently noteworthy actors and mobilisers of developments in foreign policy. With its unwavering position on the right side of history in any conflict or conflagration in the foothills of the European continent or its wider neighbourhood.
By vigorously renouncing from the first moment the expansionism and the illegal occupation acts created by the Russian invasion. At the same time, he decisively participated in material support and various international gatherings in favour of Ukraine's right to defend its territory.
Today, with the flare-up in the Middle East ongoing, the Government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis immediately took a position in favour of Israel's right to self-defence, calling on the friendly country, however, not to stray from the path of International Law and International Humanitarian Law. Proposing sustainable solutions that will lead to a bloodless future and not a repeat of the past in the region.
In Europe, our country has a steady pace and a special displacement, managing to change the attitude of the Union towards Immigration, but also the way of dealing with natural disasters and climate change. With initiatives such as the vaccination certificate amid the pandemic and the now coherent external border protection policy.
In our neighbourhood, in the Balkans, Greece is a driving force of developments and their accession perspective, undertaking specific initiatives. Without, however, being the "useful idiot" of the story, but by acting as a bellwether for their obligations. After all, it proved it recently when neighbouring Albania also slipped from the European path in the Beleri case and trampled on the principles of the rule of law.
At the same time, it does not neglect to strengthen its diplomatic and defence capacity. Recently, the launch of the first Belharra frigate was on our televisions, while over the skies of the SEF, we welcomed the new Rafalle and upgraded F-16s. All this is a sample of a country constantly developing, with its feet on the ground of the harsh reality of international politics.
Now, we are talking about a new Greece. A new Greece that has apparently left the era of withering and laxity behind for good. That develops, matures and sets the course for tomorrow.
It is precisely this Greece that wears its hat and exudes the same determination and punch, both abroad and at home.
Most importantly, our country is now invited and asked for their opinion. Before the recommendations, during the decision-making process, and afterwards, not only for her region but also for the wider European neighbourhood. A country that is a real actor and not a sidekick to developments.
* Christina Tsiligiri is an MSc economist, president of SEF, president of EMCA, politician of SW Piraeus, and director of Sports and Disabled UNESCO of Piraeus and Islands.
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