Former Greek FM: Europe must enhance strategic autonomy to survive

​​​​​​​In a forceful address in Istanbul, former Greek Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos declared that the European Union faces an existential imperative to bolster its strategic autonomy. He argued that without decisive steps toward a unified foreign and defense policy, the bloc is on a path toward decay and irrelevance in a competitive global landscape.

An Existential Warning for Europe

"Europe is in transition. Europe has to choose. Is it going to enhance its strategic autonomy? Otherwise, it will not survive," Avramopoulos stated during a panel titled "Beyond Tension: Rebuilding the Strategic Balance in the Eastern Mediterranean." He emphasized that the EU is "on the brink of decay" and called for the immediate completion of the European project through integrated defense and diplomatic structures. This, he suggested, is non-negotiable for the bloc's future.

A Call for Regional Agency in the Eastern Mediterranean

Turning to the volatile Eastern Mediterranean, Avramopoulos described it as a "modern theater of competing interests" involving the U.S., Russia, China, and the EU. He urged regional nations, including Türkiye and Greece, to "take their destiny into their own hands" by choosing "strategic maturity over momentary tension." He criticized reactive postures, stating, "Too often, we act reactively. We wait for the incident and then we search for the escalation." Instead, he advocated for a formalized "Mediterranean cooperation scheme" to align incentives and mobilize resources for stability.

On EU-Türkiye-Greece Relations and the Gaza Crisis

Regarding the critical triangle of EU-Türkiye-Greece relations, Avramopoulos noted that long-standing disputes over maritime zones and airspace conduct remain sensitive. He called for "institutionalized de-escalation," permanent communication channels, and operational confidence-building measures to replace what he termed a "selectively functional" yet "politically constrained" relationship. He also addressed the war in Gaza, calling it a "stress test for our entire neighborhood" that intensifies polarization and risks spillover. A durable solution, he argued, requires a dual commitment to Israel's security and a credible political horizon for Palestinians to break the cycle of violence.