QUESTION: You came to Munich from Brussels, from the meeting of EU defense ministers. I would like you to tell us about the German missile defense initiative. How does the Greek side see it, why is Greece participating?

Greece has a very clear perception of participation in the defense initiatives of EU member states and NATO member states in general. In other words, we believe that we should be part of the solutions to the problems and not stay away from them. So in this sense, we see behind it a protection against existing current, but also future risks. We would like to be members of this team working on possible solutions.

And from the fact that Turkey chose to be a member of this effort, in its capacity as a NATO member country and taking into account that any country that is a member now acquires the right of veto, against countries that will seek to join the Initiative, you understand… If you put all this together for Greece and its own defense policy, participation in the effort was something absolutely appropriate.

Company IRINI, ASPIDES

QUESTION: There is a lot of talk at this Security Conference about defence, about the EU’s defense protection, and the speakers note that the EU has not yet reached the point of having its own autonomous defense policy, and always depending on the moods of the U.S. A. Do you see a deficiency there?

First of all, I am a fanatical follower of the European Idea. So I think that eventually the EU should get its own autonomous defense arm. An arm, which will certainly be compatible and cooperate with NATO. That is, the Euro-Atlantic perspective for the EU is something that exists and that we must guard. Beyond that, however, Greece always not only participates, but also tries to create a unified defense consciousness in the EU. I want to remind you of the IRINI operation, on the coast of Libya. Greece was one of the countries that mainly – at the time I was Minister of Foreign Affairs – proposed it. As he also proposed the new operation ASPIDES – again with a Greek name and this is no coincidence – in the Red Sea, to protect the freedom of navigation, which is essential for European interests.

A very large part of EU trade passes through Suez. So, we deeply believe what, for example, France also believes, along with other European countries, that Europe should acquire a defense arm. But I say it again: A defense arm that will cooperate with NATO, will cooperate with the USA, will cooperate with the Euro-Atlantic framework of defense processes. But Europe must be able to do it alone, if necessary.

For Ukraine

QUESTION: But you see now also in the case of Ukraine, there is fatigue in the EU countries. There is also the factor of economic difficulties. The partners, the Europeans, do not give too much money and material that Ukraine needs. On the other hand, the U.S. have trouble approving this famous package. So where exactly are we headed?

First of all, the US is in an election year. Every country in a pre-election period has particularities, I will not refer to them. As far as Europe is concerned, I think that the 50 billion that the European Commission has decided should be given to help Ukraine is a very large amount. But I repeat, we must see everything in its perspective. Even if it seems like many years, the European project is a project of a few decades. This means that we will have to wait for it to mature. Right now we are doing what we can within the framework we can. And Greece is doing its duty as a member country of the EU and NATO.

QUESTION: How exactly do we, with Ukraine, help it?

We have announced very specific materials that we have given to Ukraine. I want to say that we always prioritize humanitarian aid as well. Beyond that, you understand that I will not refer to quantities and qualities of materials.

About the situation in Gaza

QUESTION: The Munich Conference is concerned with the Gaza war. We have spearheaded a humanitarian aid initiative there. Of course, it cannot be solved with help alone, because help is not enough when new victims are constantly being produced. Where will we get to?

Let’s start from the base. In principle, Greece fully accepts Israel’s right to self-defense, especially after the attack on October 7. A horrific attack, I think we all felt very close to the society that was affected. Beyond that, Greece is a country that believes in International Law and the protection of human beings. And we accept Israel’s operations as necessary, but we always proclaim the need to protect human life, especially civilians.

Humanitarian aid is what we try to give. A solution should be found as soon as possible – yesterday if possible – of a ceasefire, and from there we can see how a better tomorrow for the societies of the region can be ensured within the framework of the two-state solution.

IRINI ANASTASOPOULOU