General policy objectives of Greece in the region
Greece attributes great strategic importance to Caucasus as it forms a corridor between Europe and Asia. Greece maintains very good relations with all three countries, based on the historic presence of the Greeks in the area and on our collaboration on a bilateral level, as well as within international organizations.
Greece shares the EU's interest in the region, aiming to secure:
- The continuation and completion of political and economic reforms and the consolidation of democracy in the region
- The security of the pipelines transporting oil and natural gas
- Peace and stability in the region, through the resolution of frozen conflicts within the existing framework established by International Organizations.
Frozen Conflicts in the Southern Caucasus Region
Abkhazia
Seceded from Georgia in 1992 and is unofficially supported by Russia. The "Friends of the Secretary General of the UN" (US, Russia, France, Germany, England and the Ukraine) are participating in the peacekeeping procedure.
South Ossetia
South Ossetia seceded from Georgia in 1992 and declared its independence with Russian support. OSCE is the competent authority in resolving the conflict, under whose auspices two groups operate: The "Group of Experts" which handles the political dimension, and the "Joint Control Commission" which concerns itself with matters of military and security, economic reforms and refugees.
Armenian-Azeri Conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh
In 1993-4, Armenia entered and took control of the Nagorno-Karabakh pocket in Azerbaijan, whose population is 90% Armenian. Armenia also occupied other adjacent Azeri territories which, together with Nagorno-Karabakh, comprise 20% of Azerbaijan's total territory.
Armenia argues for Nagorno-Karabakh's right to self-determination, while Azerbaijan does not accept resolutions which do not ensure respect for its territorial integrity.
The international community's efforts for the peaceful resolution of this matter are primarily focused on the efforts of the 12-member "Minsk Group" (which operates within the framework of OSCE), which is co-chaired by representatives from the US, Russia, and France.
