ABSTRACT
Regional developments were immensely important for the Karamanlis government. Relations with Turkey were strained in 1955-59 because of the Cyprus dispute. In 1959-60 the establishment of a Cypriot state created further obligations for Greek foreign and security policy. Yet, the main initiatives of Athens during these years involved Tito’s Yugoslavia. After the 1955 Istanbul riots and the deterioration of Greek-Turkish relations, Yugoslavia became Athens’ only option for a regional partnership. Belgrade should be kept outside the Soviet Bloc at any cost; in the opposing case, Greece could never balance a Yugoslav-Bulgarian combination. Even after the conclusion of the 1959 Cyprus settlement, it was imperative to ensure Yugoslav neutrality. Karamanlis explained the Greek view on the strategic importance of Yugoslavia, during his 1959 visit to Turkey:1
We have three choices: to push Tito towards Russia; to make him our ally; or to keep him outside both blocs. The first is disadvantageous, the second impossible. The third choice is the only one that remains and we have to go for it.
