Turkish-Greek Relations were discussed

At the seminar organized by Cyprus and Mediterranean Studies Center (CYPMED) of Cyprus International University (CIU),   the attitudes of Turkey and Greece toward Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the reflections of the war on Turkish-Greek relations were discussed.

The event titled “Turkish-Greek Relations in the Light of the Ukraine Crisis'” was online and while CIU Faculty of Law Faculty Member Assist. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Erçakıca was the moderator, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zuhal Mert Uzuner from Marmara University, Political Science and International Relations Department made a virtual presentation.

In the online seminar attended by a group of academicians as well as graduate and doctoral students, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Uzuner first made a general assessment about the Turkish-Greek relations before the Ukraine Crisis and gave information about Turkey’s relying on diplomacy and willingness to mediate to de-escalate the tension since the day Russia launched a military operation against Ukraine.

In her speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Uzuner stated that Turkey's efforts were supported by both Russia and Ukraine and this gave the country the upper hand  in her relations with Greece, a member of the European Union. Uzunder also shared examples of how this situation was perceived by the public and press in both countries.

Uzuner finished her presentation by showing cartoons from the Greek press caricaturizing  Turkey.  Following this, Uzuner answered the participants’ questions on Sweden and Finland's membership application to NATO, and the reflection of the Ukraine crisis on Turkish-Greek Relations in the context of the Cyprus problem.