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A couple of days ago, the Special Advisor to EU HRVP J Borrell @NathalieTocci tweeted that
https://twitter.com/NathalieTocci/status/1300853898626895877">https://twitter.com/NathalieT... /2
https://twitter.com/NathalieTocci/status/1300853898626895877">https://twitter.com/NathalieT... /2
For anyone familiar with the work of @nathalietocci, such view is hardly surprising.
In fact, Nathalie has expressed in more detail her moderate, measured and insightful views in a recent article in @POLITICOEurope /3 https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-cant-have-it-both-ways-with-turkey-libya/">https://www.politico.eu/article/e...
In fact, Nathalie has expressed in more detail her moderate, measured and insightful views in a recent article in @POLITICOEurope /3 https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-cant-have-it-both-ways-with-turkey-libya/">https://www.politico.eu/article/e...
@protagongr, however -a greek website that presents itself as liberal and progressive- was surprised, if not incredulous and offended.
In a front page profile, Protagon decided to present Dr Tocci as the Turkophile (sic) face of European diplomacy /4
In a front page profile, Protagon decided to present Dr Tocci as the Turkophile (sic) face of European diplomacy /4
The article, itself, (whose exact author is not clear) finishes by posing the rather rhetoric question whether the advisers to the Commissioners have a right to publicly express their views on issues that touch upon the security of MSs /5 https://www.protagon.gr/themata/natali-totsi-to-filotourko-proswpo-tis-evrwpaikis-grafeiokratias-44342112986">https://www.protagon.gr/themata/n...
Ad hominem attacks like the one against @nathalietocci are far from rare in this part of the world.
Normally, the recipients of such attacks are Greek-speaking academics and politicians that have expressed (even the mildest) criticism/scepticism of the official narrative. /6
Normally, the recipients of such attacks are Greek-speaking academics and politicians that have expressed (even the mildest) criticism/scepticism of the official narrative. /6
From the preeminent international law scholar C Rozakis to the IR professor A Iraklidis, anyone that has not followed the canon of the official narrative, s/he has faced the scorn of the media and of those intellectuals that follow the State narrative./7 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEEKeO7SAxg&t=6424s">https://www.youtube.com/watch...
Of course, those academics and politicians that have faced such attacks will continue their life and the important work they are producing.
The scorn, however, against them has a very negative effect on the societies of this part of the world. /8
The scorn, however, against them has a very negative effect on the societies of this part of the world. /8
If any of those international problems are to be solved (e.g. Aegean, Cyprus, EEZ etc) in a peaceful, sustainable and democratic way, compromises will be necessary.
By attacking any view that is not a 100% in agreement with the official position, the debate becomes polarised. /9
By attacking any view that is not a 100% in agreement with the official position, the debate becomes polarised. /9
More importantly, the space for the necessary compromises becomes smaller.
We have seen that time and again with regard to #Cyprus and we saw that more recently with regard to the #Prespes agreement. /10
We have seen that time and again with regard to #Cyprus and we saw that more recently with regard to the #Prespes agreement. /10
So, the only thing that such & #39;clickbait& #39; attacks achieve is to enhance the feeling of victimisation, make the debate over those issues poisonous and the solutions to the problems even more elusive. /11
And a final thought:
If the Greek positions are not convincing for people like @nathalietocci who has spent most of her career studying this area, perhaps this is a problem for the Greek positions and not for Nathalie. /12 END
If the Greek positions are not convincing for people like @nathalietocci who has spent most of her career studying this area, perhaps this is a problem for the Greek positions and not for Nathalie. /12 END
