Trump envoy suggests nation-states have hindered progress since 1919

Greek media reports, based on an interview with Tom Barrack, that the US administration will mediate to resolve disputes between Greece and Türkiye.

An interview given by US Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack to the newspaper Kathimerini is being considered in this context. During the interview, conducted during his visit to the Patriarchate in Fener, Istanbul, Barrack expressed his intention to “resolve” the problems between Ankara and Athens, in addition to calling for the reopening of the Halki seminary.

Assessing the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, Barrack stated, “What we are seeing in the world is a new momentum to set aside the regrets of the past and create a new paradigm. And this must begin with Greece and Türkiye. It is not logical for two great, interconnected countries to still hold grudges against each other over events that happened hundreds, even thousands of years ago.”

Barrack, noting that he is a friend of the American ambassador in Greece, said that he and President Donald Trump have asked each other, “Can we somehow serve as the mortar to bring these two bricks together in a new way, step by step?” and argued that the “time has come” for this.

In response to the reporter’s question, “Do you think that creating some kind of forum between the two countries for the Eastern Mediterranean could be an effective roadmap?” the American ambassador replied:

“Absolutely. 100%. It has to be. Everything starts with communication. And communication stems from prosperity rather than fear. So, think about what could be created by the two countries coming together—for both nations, for all people, a new structure in the Eastern Mediterranean, all the hopes and dreams of unity, prosperity, and a better life for children.”

When reminded that he had previously mentioned a line extending from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean, Barrack argued that the Spice Road and the Silk Road connected the East and West on “three or four different routes” and that “the fusion of civilizations occurred along this path of prosperity.” The ambassador suggested this could happen again but claimed they have been “hindered by nation-states since 1919,” asserting that the idea of each country and each state being governed by a different government “has not worked very well.” He continued:

“Therefore, to create a new style of prosperity, consider this: you have Greece and Türkiye as the gateway to the Mediterranean, and you have the Caspian Sea with numerous fossil fuel resources whose access is blocked. How can they not be open? How will you eliminate this political interference? You can eliminate political interference with prosperity. That is our hope.”

Regarding the Cyprus issue, Barrack said, “you cannot have an abscess in the middle of a healthy body,” and that “every part of the body must heal.” He added, “Cyprus plays a key role in this. So our hope is that Cyprus will also be included in this process.”

According to the analysis in Kathimerini, Barrack’s words carry extra weight not only because he is the ambassador in Ankara and a personal friend of Donald Trump, but also because he is the US president’s special representative for Syria, which implies a broader regional perspective.

The analysis confirms that Barrack’s statement indicates Washington’s willingness to “facilitate” the establishment of a cooperative regional framework that will provide tangible commercial benefits for all relevant actors.

Kathimerini continues its objection to Türkiye’s stance, stating, “Of course, there is a big difference between a third party offering to facilitate a process and ensuring that one of the potential participants abandons its maximalist goals and changes its long-held position for this effort to bear fruit.”

As a step toward creating a more positive atmosphere, the Greek media pointed to the reopening of the Halki (Heybeliada) Seminary, noting that while it is more a matter of “religious freedom” than a “bilateral Greece-Türkiye issue,” this step could possibly take place in the fall of 2026.