Read on Twitter
A couple of days ago, the Special Advisor to EU HRVP J Borrell @NathalieTocci tweeted that
https://twitter.com/NathalieTocci/status/1300853898626895877 /2
https://twitter.com/NathalieTocci/status/1300853898626895877 /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/
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/
@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
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
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 'clickbait' 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
