Fears of a new wave of refugees and economic consequencesThe Greek premier visited the President to advise him and said that "Greece is a bastion of stability in the region", and in an attempt to harness the geostrategic position of the country he linked it to the economic situation by saying "we should enhance the stability inside as well so as not to waste the sacrifices of the Greek people." It was a message both to the internal and foreign political factors to watch their attitude and their financial requirements and not destabilize Greece in this situation as well.
The attack in Syria comes shortly after Samaras' visit to Washington and while preparations for an intergovernmental conference between Greece and Israel in Tel Aviv are in progress. For the Greek government there is no dilemma regarding the country’s geopolitical orientation and will provide all the help by its geostrategic position to NATO troops and the base of Souda as bounded by the international agreements. The Greek government believes the turmoil in the region creates risks too. It disrupts the traditionally good relations of the country with a part of the Arab and Muslim world and the people of the region. Becoming a possible target of fanatics in a charged environment cannot be excluded as well. The most immediate impact is that it will likely suffer a new wave of refugees from Syria while it is already overcrowded with more than a million illegal immigrants. One more immediate threat is the disruption of its energy supply as it is receiving oil from Iran.
The Greek government is also trying to calculate the economic consequences. The fall in stock markets is an initial negative indication. In general, the economic environment in a turbulent region is burdened at a time when Greece is trying to attract investment and restore its national economy.
Lastly, the government estimates the potential consequences in order to ask the EU for the appropriate assistance particularly regarding the possible flow of refugees.
