Piraea–Euclean Community relations

Piraea–Euclean Community relations

Euclean Community	Piraea
Diplomatic mission
Delegation of the EC, Alikianos	Embassy of Piraea, Kesselbourg
Envoy
Ambassador Albert Luijendijk	Ambassador Petrina Scafiade

Piraea–Euclean Community relations are foreign relations between the Republic of Piraea and the intergubernamental organisation, Euclean Community. Although Piraea is not a member of the Euclean Community, it has held extensive relations with the Community since the return of democracy, with the aim of becoming a member of the Community since 2003, when Piraea signed its first association agreement. Important advances have been made since 2017, with the current President of the Euclean Community Alexis Walker having led several contacts with Alikianos.

Overview

Main article: Accession of Piraea to the Euclean Community

Following the return of democracy in Piraea, the country was faced with the challenge of rebuilding its foreign relations. Between 1985 and 1993, the first socialists governments of Piraea sought to align Piraea with the AIS, delaying Piraea's assertion in initiating dialogue with the Euclean Community.

The election of Konstantinos Kondoulis in 1993 was decisive in aligning Piraea with the Euclean Community, forming the first Anastas Pacts to open up the road for accession. In 1994, Kondulis signed with the Etrurian president, Nicolò Grassi, a friendship pact between the two nations, recognising the Etrurian government in Tarpeia and granting Piraeans free movement along the portion of land; the agreement and solution of territorial disputes between the two nations carved the path to Piraea's early membership of ECDTO in 1996, following a referendum conducted a year before. In 2003, the country submitted its first association agreement and a year later, it was granted the candidate status after the Premier Stefanos Xanthos submitted the formal application. However, between 2005 and 2009, poor advances were made; Piraea made it a common goal among all political sectors in 2009 to join alongside Etruria and Emessa.

However, the Etrurian negative to continue the process following the 2016 referendum concluded the EC plans of enlargement. A year later, the 2017 Piraean political crisis also halted Piraea's aspirations, which were going to be resumed a year later by the Panopoulos government and Alexis Walker. As of 2022, the country holds 2024 as the year of accession, and is believed to have been advancing on reforms concerning the EC Chapters in relation to the judiciary, Human Rights and economy.

Defence

Stella Tavoularopoulou, Minister of Defence during the Zervakos Government, visiting Piraean troops in an ECDTO joint mission in Tsabara, 2009.

Piraea is a member of the Euclean Common Defense Treaty Organisation since 1996. Its accession to the organisation was formalised after years of negotiations, political debate in Piraea and a referendum that concluded with 56.4% of the population voting in favour of joining the miltiary alliance and re-aligning the country's foreign policy.

The accession of Piraea to the ECDTO was subject to the solution of the territorial disputes with Etruria in Tarpeia, whose claim for jurisdiction was dropped out by Piraea in 1994. The treaty between the two nations happened in the framework of the Anastas Pacts, a series of pacts signed in 1993 between the People's Party and the PSEE, to draft a future Piraea joining Euclean institutions. The subsequent referendum in 1996 counted with the opposition of most of the left and several sectors of the centre-left, although the official position of the PSEE —the party did not campaign neither in favour or against the referendum— played a crucial role in the positive outcome.

Since then, Piraea has had an active role in ECDTO operations. The naval base of Hersonissos–Naval Support Activity, Sitia is the largest naval base of the Piraean Navy and counts with a regular ECDTO presence, being also one of the largest of the organisation in the Acheloian Sea.

Referendums

1995 ECDTO referendum

Piraean ECDTO membership referendum
In your view, should Piraea become a member of the ECDTO subject to the terms agreed by the national Government?
Date	March 4, 1995 (1995-03-04)
Results Votes % Yes 4,055,014 7001615700000000000♠61.57% No 2,530,789 7001384300000000000♠38.43% Valid votes 6,585,803 7001916000000000000♠91.60% Invalid or blank votes 603,939 7000840000000000000♠8.40% Total votes 7,189,742 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 7,358,862 7001977000000000000♠97.7%

The Government considers it convenient, for national interests, for Piraea to become a member of the Euclean Common Defense Treaty Organisation (ECDTO), and agrees that such permanence be established in the following terms: (1) Non-incorporation into ECDTO's military structure; (2) Prohibition on the installation, storage or entry of nuclear weapons on Piraean territory; (3) The respect of a cuota of foreign army officials stationed in Piraean territory. In your view, should Piraea become a member of the ECDTO subject to the terms agreed by the national Government?