For their future Greek-Turkish relations after the re-election of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the periods of great tension between the two countries in the past but also for equipment modernization of Greece spoke the former Minister of Defense, Nikos Panagiotopoulos to SKAI and the “Today” show.

“It is the first post-election period, a new government, a new course will be drawn, especially for geopolitical relations” said Nikos Panagiotopoulos pointing out that during this period there is calm in the relations between the two countries however, as he said, there are voices that cause tensions.

“We are in a different environment. Violating actions have been significantly reduced. It’s a good sign. Turkey’s long-term strategy, however, I don’t think will change” he said and emphasized that as long as the casus belli exists and the declaration of the “Blue Homeland” also remains the provocative attitude of a neighboring NATO member country.
“We have to be vigilant, we continue to strengthen our program” he added.

The former minister even referred to the period when he had talks with the former Turkish Minister of Defense, Hulusi Akar, clarifying to him that Greece’s armament synchronization does not pose a threat to Turkey.

“With Mr. Akar, I had the opportunity to underline to him that Greece’s effort to strengthen its armed forces was not aimed at an arms competition with Turkey, it was about the necessary need for the modernization or replacement of the arms. And Akar had agreed” he said.

“We reached the peak of intensity in the summer of 2020”

Regarding the periods when the tones between the two countries were raised, Mr. Panagiotopoulos referred to summer of 2020.

“We reached the peak of tension in the summer of 2020 with the two fleets deployed in the eastern Aegean. In such a situation the probability of an accident is increased” he reported. He also emphasized that the Greek side had declared that in the event of a strike from the Turkish side, our country would strike.

Also, Mr. Panagiotopoulos referred to another difficult period for the two countries which was in February-March 2020 and the management of the Evros crisis. “It was an unprecedented situation” he said.

It was also a difficult period “when it existed flurry of rhetoric from the Turkish side, last year at this time. I said to Akar “what will happen? Shall we argue now?’ said Mr. Panagiotopoulos and emphasized how important it is to be able to communicate at any time and moment, especially in times of tension.

For the F-16 and Rafale

Nikos Panagiotopoulos also commented both on the refusal of the US to give the F-16s to Turkey and also on the modernization of Greece with the acquisition of the new Rafale.
“Members of the US Congress object to the F-16 because there is a fear that one NATO country will attack another. So what is the reason to give them?said Mr. Panagiotopoulos and added that he cannot predict what will happen in the future.

“Maybe at some point America will lift its objections. But Turkey must also be convinced of this. The assurances given by members of Congress that these F-16s will not be used to violate Greek airspace is an important point” he said.

“The road is still long and we are taking our own measures. Our modernization is progressing. Ewe have already received 15 Rafale out of 24”. The Rafale was described by the former minister “ace up the sleeve” of Greece.

“It is a weapon system with aircraft of very advanced technology. It is a purchase that was implemented in record time, one year after the contracts were signed. These aircraft are a quality upgrade”.

“It is a weapon system that Turkey knows will not have a response. They’re different from F-16s.” emphasized Mr. Panagiotopoulos saying that “at air level we are covered.”

For Evros and Alexandroupolis

Finally, regarding the borders at Evros and Alexandroupoli, he said: “We must be alert to the length of the land border in Evros. The fence is definitely doing its job.”

“It bothers the Turks that Alexandroupolis got points. But Alexandroupolis and the American presence there does not mean that we want to develop aggression towards Turkey” the former defense minister concluded.