I don't think I have come across a Greek person who seriously stated that they wanted Istanbul to become part of Greece.

Sure, during the wars of expansion that took place almost 100 years ago, Greeks wanted both Smyrna and Constantinople to become parts of Greece, that was the whole idea behind 'Megali Idea', to extend the Greek borders to include all areas with a significant Greek population and to some extend a historical link to Greeks.

Yet some of our friends from the Turkish side still try and paint Greek people as still having some secret 'megali idea' agenda, almost 100 years since the end of those plans. It is like saying that Germans walk around with their eye on Poland, the Czech Republic or Russia....

Please, do not delude yourselves, I would say that easily 95% of Greeks have no interest in Istanbul or Izmir or Trabzon.... I have left a 5% margin there, as I'm sure there are some nutters out there who talk about shit like that- usually on the net, but even they would realistically agree it is not something that would be considered a serious policy- just a wet dream. A bit like Turks who think hey will get Kos, Thessaloniki or Ioannina.

However, whilst some Greek dreamers may hark back to six centuries ago and talk of Costantinople, there is quite a lot more Turks who talk about Greek land.

I remember the professor a few years ago who said that if Turkey sacrificed 250,000 they could reclaim Thrace, or people who say that there will "never be peace" whilst there are Greek islands so close to Turkish soil, and that some need to go to Turkey....

Make it 0,5% to be more accurate mate.

I personally agree so why are these people paranoid about it? If these are delusional ideas why do people worry? Or if they don't worry - why are they upset about it?I can't understand. Do people try to become provocative?

So Los says you cannot believe how many actually want them back. I really dunno...never met them like I never met Turks wanting soil from Greece. Sounds too extreme idea to me. But I can tell you an incident. This happened to a Greek friend of mine who was coming to Istanbul by plane. He said the flight attendent (Olympic) addressed to the city as Konstantinopoli in both Greek and English and the guy naively asked her why she didnot say it as Istanbul. The reply goes: "Why to say? It is Konstantinopolis." Well in this case - I cannot really say if she was just a jerk or a nationalist provokator or wants the city back.

I love your optimism

Don't be delusional

On one hand you tell us that Greeks have no desires towards Turkish Lands and then turn around and say that Turks have greater desire for Greek lands.

This is nothing more than the consolation prize to Megali Idea: You realized you can't accomplish the MEGALI dream so instead you turned it around to this idea that the Turks were after Greek lands. How else could you justify what Greece ( a little pip-squeek nation) spends on armaments. The proportion is absolutely CRAZY>


So I seriously suggest you examine the heads of Greek generals and politicians for justifying the spending based on this unrealistic expecation of a great Turkish Mongolian Attack that will never come.

We dont' have any claims against Greece because we don't think shit of your strength. We only have an issue with your maritime zone issues, but that's all busines related and nothing else.

Just to clarify the Turkish position for the benefit of you, and the entire forum.

How many Greeks have you met that still beleive in "Megali Idea"?

I know none.

Fuck Constantinople. I am a bloody Athenian ultra nationalist.


Constantinople was a powerfull city. Athens was and is a legendary city.
Just a look on the Acropolis and I forget about Constantinople in a split second.

Oh I didnot say that sentence to tease you. I really do.

I never met a Greek believing that but I havenot settled in yet. Let's talk about this again in 3 yrs

I think we should all get used to the notion of nations as such ,being of less relevance in the future.
Nations clamouring for airspace and long lost territorys are becoming less relevant in the modern world.
i for one am glad this appears to be happening.Maybe we will become just states in a one world government.Whether a one world government is good or bad ,i dont know

The megali idea was an ideal plan to reunite all Greeks in one state, including all regions inhabited by Greeks.

Now, since Greeks were expelled out of Smirni in 1921 and out of Konstantinoupoli (esp in 1955), the megali idea is done. Or you can say accomplished.
Namely, Greeks living in a Greek nation.

Some of the Greeks (maybe 0,5 %) maybe still dream of taking back Konstantinoupoli, but actually the majority wouldn't want it.
Why ?
Simple, you can not make a Greek nation with 11 million Greeks and 11 million Turks (even if they are our cousins), it simply doesn't work .

If Turks feel offended by the words of some Greeks who say that we will take back Konstantinoupoli, then the work is done.
"We simply pissed off the Turks" OK ?

If Turks feel offended that Greeks still call the city "Konstantinoupoli", then they are ignorant.

If I am not clear enough, please ask .....

Dear ultra nationalist...liked my pic? I had to wait some 15 mins to take his pic...was full of tourists....still not alone

I dream of an independent Mani state.

I will give up my rights to Istanbul if you Greco Feta heads can get Monica Belluci to Fuck me.




Actually if you can do this, I might convert to Greek (except the taking up the ass part. You guys would have to get me more than Monica to go Greek)