Former Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has outlined “6+1 conditions” for a new national strategy, urging Greece to navigate an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment with clarity and purpose. He argues that the country must move beyond reactive diplomacy and embrace a cohesive, forward-looking foreign policy capable of addressing emerging regional and global challenges.
In an op-ed published Wednesday, Tsipras expands on this vision, calling for the development of a new national compass based on active diplomacy, strategic partnerships, and respect for international law. He warns that Greece must strengthen its position before new crises and shifting alliances make such a transformation more difficult.
A global shift toward “might makes right”
Tsipras situates his argument within a rapidly transforming world order. The re-election of US President Donald Trump, he notes, signals a global shift toward “might makes right,” as the United States adopts a more transactional approach to power and international relations.
This evolution, he cautions, is by no means positive for Greece, which has traditionally anchored its foreign policy on the principles of international law and collective security. He stresses that this new era of great-power competition demands from Greece not only vigilance but also strategic adaptability — the ability to pursue its national interests without overreliance on any single ally.
Greek–Turkish relations and missed opportunities
Turning to regional issues, Tsipras revisits the Greek–Turkish dialogue he supported in December 2024, when the foreign ministers of both countries explored the idea of jointly referring disputes over the continental shelf and exclusive economic zones (EEZs) to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. He criticizes Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for later “burying” that initiative, arguing that abandoning the process has left a critical diplomatic void.
Tsipras also comments on the recent proposal for an Eastern Mediterranean Conference, which he claims was driven more by Washington than by Athens. While not rejecting the idea, he emphasizes that such a forum can only serve Greece’s interests if clear national red lines are established — particularly regarding the role of the United States and Turkey’s participation. Without adequate preparation, he warns, the initiative could undermine Greece’s strategic position rather than strengthen it.
The 6+1 conditions for a national strategy
Tsipras presents his framework as a structured response to these challenges — a roadmap for aligning Greece’s diplomacy with its long-term interests. His 6+1 conditions are as follows:
- Coordination with Cyprus must form the cornerstone of any foreign policy initiative.
- European Union participation in regional discussions, including the proposed Eastern Mediterranean Conference, should be mandatory.
- Link the revised EU–Turkey Customs Union to Ankara’s formal commitment to a joint referral to The Hague.
- Reactivate the 2022 Tsipras proposal for delimiting EEZs and continental shelves with neighboring states, tied to extending Greece’s territorial waters to 12 nautical miles in areas such as southern and eastern Crete and the Kastellorizo complex.
- Develop a coordinated plan for bilateral delimitations and, if needed, parallel recourse to the International Court of Justice, while maintaining a firm stance against the illegal Turkey–Libya maritime memorandum.
- Include representation from Benghazi, Libya, to ensure balanced participation and legitimacy in regional talks.
+1. Avoid political opportunism, ensuring that foreign policy decisions serve Greece’s strategic interests rather than short-term partisan goals.
A warning against strategic drift
Concluding his article, Tsipras delivers a stark warning: Greece cannot afford symbolic gestures, improvisation, or narrow political calculations in matters of national strategy. The absence of a coherent foreign policy, he argues, risks leading the country “onto the rocks.”
He calls for a return to principled diplomacy, long-term vision, and regional coordination, urging the government to act “even now” to prevent strategic missteps that could compromise Greece’s security and credibility in the years ahead.
