Responding to what Erdogan’s “Mitsotakis end for me” signifies for Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Panagiotopoulos noted that “the Turkish president, whenever he feels threatened or faces internal problems, causes tensions.”
“I have repeatedly stressed that tensions do not offer either side. It is our potential that discourages her other side than to dare military engagement. This is because they know the heavy costs they would have to pay. “The Armed Forces are always on the alert, on alert and determined,” said, among other things, the Minister of National Defense, Nikos Panagiotopoulosin an interview given to the newspaper “The Manifesto”.
Responding to what Erdogan’s “Mitsotakis end for me” signifies for Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Panagiotopoulos noted that “the Turkish president, whenever he feels threatened or faces internal problems, causes tensions.”
“It simply exposes the international community and strengthens the quiver of Greek arguments, which, after all, were exposed by the Greek prime minister to the American leadership and to Congress,” he added.
The Minister of National Defense clarified that “we will not be the ones to interrupt the channels of communication” and clarified that “the dialogue, however, does not go hand in hand with aggressive rhetoric and provocative behaviors. “It makes no sense then and what the Turkish president must realize is that Greece is a pillar of stability for the wider region, but it does not make concessions in defense of its sovereign rights.”
He also stressed that “the Turkish president is wrong if he thinks that the Greek prime minister will not defend the sovereign rights of our country or will not face the intrusion of its territorial integrity. “Certainly we will not be the ones to cause any tension in the wider area.”
The minister assured the Greek people that they must “feel absolutely safe, as our Armed Forces are present and on standby at all times.”
“Let us not underestimate the support of the EU”
Asked if he is concerned “from the recent loose reaction of the Commission in relation to the Turkish provocation “he replied that” the Commission has many times supported the indisputable sovereignty of Greece in the islands and has also considered many times as counterproductive any comments that may come from Turkish officials “.
“Therefore, let us not underestimate the support and security that the EU provides to Greece. “And let us ask ourselves what things would be like if Greece were now outside the EU,” he added.
“If there was ever a period during which Greece should feel safe and quiet, it is the one we are going through now. Greece should not worry, European countries have been and are being protected. “My view is that there can be no problem in the security of Greece or any other European country,” he said.
In the comment that “despite the very strong imprint of the trip and the applause of the whole Congress to Mr. Mitsotakis, a few days later we had the response of Turkey with the overflights over Alexandroupolis”, Mr. Panagiotopoulos replied that “this kind” “Turkey’s response simply confirmed the arguments in favor of the Greek positions developed by Kyriakos Mitsotakis to both the American President and the members of Congress in his historic speech.”
As he said, “it is a recognition in the person of the Greek Prime Minister of a world-renowned leader who, with his continuous work, perseverance and patience, in important, strategically important issues, succeeds and passes the Greek positions”.
For overflights He explained that “provocation is a regular Turkish tactic. Neighbors, whenever they feel threatened or the international community makes them feel insecure, react by disrupting the environment of security and stability. In this way, however, they intensify their unreliability towards their allies. And this is not only said by us but also by partners in the region “.
As far as the possibility upgrade of Turkish F-16 fighter jetsthe minister expressed doubts about “whether it will eventually be approved by the US Legislatures, the House of Representatives and the Senate.”
“The United States could not accept the sale of the F-35s to Turkey when it was preceded by the Turkish market for the S-400s,” he said. It goes without saying that the whole affair will depend on the overall behavior of the Turks. Which will be duly evaluated by the USA “.
For sending material from Greece to Ukraine, he reiterated that “Greece has done its duty towards history, which dictates the prevention of any ongoing revisionism by authoritarian regimes. “Especially when this kind of revisionism can find other imitators.”
“Greece has strengthened Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion with defense equipment weighing a total of 40 tons, consisting of ammunition of various calibers and rifles. We are currently processing the shipment of a number of battle armored vehicles with an agreed replacement of them by corresponding German defense equipment (vehicles) “.
“It would be,” he added, “” it would be unthinkable to weaken any point in our defense in order to reinforce a third party that would need that reinforcement. ” “The patriotic conception of defending the national interests and the integrity of the country always prevails.”
“The Ministry of Defense has implemented the government line on the issue. “From the first moment, without hesitation, through the mouth of the prime minister, this line was to place our country on the right side of history”, said Mr. Panagiotopoulos.
For Schedule for the acquisition of F-35 fighter jets, the minister noted: “We have entered into discussions with the construction company, Lockheed Martin, which wants to strengthen its relationship with our domestic defense industry. The relevant official request (LOR) is already being prepared by their staff. The process until the acquisition is expected to take quite a long time “.
“The effort to shield Greece through the reinforcement of the Armed Forces continues and there is no room for rest. There is a plan organized, costed and in absolute priority that has been submitted directly to the Prime Minister and has been approved. In this context is included the supply of “Rafale”, with secured financing, in the context of the above planning “added Mr. Panagiotopoulos.
“The whole ground support network and the personnel, the ground technicians, are in development in Tanagra, which is a necessary condition for the full integration of the Rafale in the ranks of the Air Force,” he stressed.
On whether “Greece will support each NATO enlargementAnd if “the process with Finland and Sweden is going well”, the Minister of National Defense was categorical, pointing out: “Of course, yes. In addition, Greece is a key and reliable ally in NATO and a recognized pillar of stability in the Southeastern Mediterranean. Our country participates in every structure of NATO and so Greece mobilizes and participates in all events. In this sense, of course, any enlargement of NATO has our full support. “
