Fragmented reconciliation? The strengths and limitations of cultural diplomacy in Greek-Turkish relations

Abstract

Culturally aware approaches, such as cultural diplomacy, contribute to the
understanding, preventing, and recovering of conflicts with a diverse outlook.
Cultural diplomacy is a humanistic approach that acts as a delicate instrument of
power politics which exchanges ideas, values, and traditions in order to foster mutual
understanding and build peace. Since cultural diplomacy is fairly new in academia
there is significant room for theoretical and empirical expansion. The Greek-Turkish
case study is useful in this effect since it deals with two traditionally hostile nations
aiming to reach durable reconciliation that extends beyond hard power politics. It
provides insight to the practicalities cultural diplomacy faces when applied to a real
life context. Unfortunately, in the case study, it becomes apparent that cultural
diplomacy is effective only in ‘low politics’ as opposed to highly contentious political
issues. As long as issues between Greece and Turkey remain unresolved, durable
partnership between the two countries is in question, and cultural diplomacy does not
meet its objectives.