In Greece we tend to focus on the individual cases and scenarios and end up losing ourselves in the minor details. What is missing from the public debate, or rather what is not being addressed, is the big picture.
In seeking out this big picture, which in the current globalized context is defined by the country’s status regionally and worldwide, one cannot ignore the important event that took place on the 24th of November, which is none other than agreement of Iran with the West on controlling its nuclear program.
It is without a doubt a monumental agreement. After 35 years in restores relations with the USA, Iran is being liberated, the flow of oil and natural gas is increased, Israel is “secured” by the intervention and presence of the Russians in the region and, most important of all, the path is paved to bring peace to the greater region, from Morocco to Afghanistan.
The experts speak of a new growth cycle that will affect the entire world. About 2 trillion dollars are being shifted around on an annual basis in the region, which could become 3 trillion dollars, if Iran’s strategic return to the world economy is successful.
This historic event is great opportunity for Greece. Our country is on the Southeastern Mediterranean edge, is in the Eurozone, has stable structures and European institution, is a NATO member, has a specialized workforce and a culture of trade and free market that can act as a bridge with the emergent North African and Middle East zone.
In other words, Greece has a clear advantage in this new, global growth cycle, which Europe will inevitably have to lead by participating in the recovery of structures and development of societies.
That is the big picture, which however is lost amongst the many deplorable pictures of the declining Greek partisanship, which is wasted on small personal strategies and does not have the strength to give a final solution to country’s problem.
Greece is obliged to find the courage to get over the management of the current financial crisis, to clearly confirm its European status and reclaim the spot it deserves in the world.
It will be shame to waste the Greek people’s sacrifice and miss the chance of participating in the new historic cycle of events that is unfolding outside our doorstep.
Antonis Karakousis
– Originally published in the Sunday print edition
