“Syriza’s inaccurate statements about the demilitarization of the islands do not serve national security well. The reality is that the government has exemplary shielded the military and national security. Mr. Apostolakis also admitted it,” said Serres Member of Parliament and Secretary of International Relations Tasos Hatzivasileiou, speaking on SKAI’s “Today” show.

Mr. Hatzivasileiou was in the studio, with SYRIZA MP and former Minister of National Defense Evangelos Apostolakis, with the topic of discussion the upcoming Supreme Cooperation Council of Greece-Turkey.

Mr. Apostolakis expressed his concern about a reduction in the strength of the armed forces in the Aegean islands. Mr. Hatzivasileiou replied: “I respect the contribution of Mr. Apostolakis to the navy and the army. But does he really believe that the current government is stripping the islands? Does he consider such false statements to serve national security well?” “The safety of our islands is a given. Full stop,” he added emphatically.

After Mr. Apostolakis added that “I did not say that the government is weakening the islands or demilitarizing them”, Mr. Hatzivasiliou asked his interlocutor for an answer to the question: “Are the Armed Forces more armored or not in the last 4 years?” Has the Mitsotakis government shielded national security or not?”

Mr. Apostolaki said that the defense armor of the country and the islands “is certainly in a better condition than in the past”.

“There is no possibility of demilitarization. The New Democracy government has shielded the islands like never before. Even the Admiral admits that the armed forces are now more armored”, underlined Mr. Hatzivasiliou.