Greece, as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has taken a clear stand in favor of the territorial integrity of Somalia and against Israel’s unilateral decision to recognize the breakaway state of Somaliland.
Ambassador Aglaia Balta, Greece’s permanent representative to the UN, delivered a carefully crafted statement at the special Security Council meeting on Monday; without mentioning Israel, with which Greece is enjoying increasingly close ties, the statement reflects Greece’s long-standing position that international borders are inviolable and that breakaway states should not be encouraged, let alone recognized.
This position was forged in the Cyprus issue. Invaded by Turkey in 1974 after a Greek coup designed to unify the island with Greece, Cyprus has remained partly occupied for the past 51 years. Greece had steadfastly condemned Turkish recognition of the breakaway state in the north of Cyprus and has spared no effort to ensure that only Turkey recognizes that entity.
“Initiatives that will introduce unnecessary turmoil in a country [Somalia] which has achieved tangible progress in political, security and humanitarian [issues], run counter to these efforts and raise concerns for regional stability,” said Balta. Somalia’s internal turmoil “entails a serious spread risk, which can potentially export instability to the Horn of Africa and the wider region,” Balta added.
Balta’s statement reflects Athens’ concern that Israel’s action could potentially trigger a spate of similar actions across the globe that will add to the already numerous bad precedents. Greek officials are aware that Turkey, despite the refusal its actions have encountered so far, has spent and continues to spend considerable political capital on something it regards as far from a lost cause.
On principle alone, Greece’s stance could not have been different. Still, Athens is closely observing Turkey’s moves to turn Somalia – at least the part under control by the government in Mogadishu – into a client state.