Europeanization of the Western Balkans

Abstract

The Greek-Turkish Aegean conflict, now in its fourth decade, is a threat to the stability of the geopolitically sensitive region between Europe and Asia. This timely and balanced study examines the diplomatic history of the dispute, the various abortive attempts at settlement and its intricate legal dimension. The Aegean dispute is a complex conflict involving sovereignty, national security, oil, freedom of transit and access to islands and ports. The Greek-Turkish Conflict in the Aegean conclusively shows that these matters are not the main issues at stake, and moreover that the conflict may be resolvable. The crux of the problem is the mutual fear and suspicion deeply ingrained in historical memories. Heraclides emphasises both the diplomatic and legal aspects of the conflict, exploring previously untapped data in the only existing recent study of the conflict. The perennial Imagination -- Beyond National Mythology -- The modernist Imagination : a 19th century conflict -- The contemporary perspective -- From Lausanne to the 1974 Cyprus Crisis -- The first years of the dispute -- The Montreux spirit (1978-September 1981) -- Greek-Turkish relations at the nadir (October 1981-9) -- In the doldrums (1990-February 1999) -- Détente -- The Continental Shelf -- Territorial sea -- National airspace -- Demilitarisation -- Imia/Kardak and the Grey Zones -- Flight information regions and NATO operational control -- What is to be done?