Ankara’s announcement on marine parks shows growing agenda of Turkish claims, the foreign minister pointed out on Wednesday Nikos Dendias speaking at the Delphi Forum.

“Refers to marine parks around the Cyclades” and this shows “a growing agenda of Turkish claims and complaints,” he said.

Mr. Dendias emphasized that “there is no possibility of demilitarizing the islands of the Eastern Aegean” while commenting on the announcement of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, saying that

“Greece must react in every Turkish position that violates international law” clarified Mr. Dendias.

He also highlighted her need to reorganize the Armed Forces with an emphasis on innovation. Referring to the tight structure, Mr. Dendias underlined that “smaller units, but a larger number of units with 70% occupancy, are required to do their job.”

He emphasized that we must “choose useful weapon systems for the new army” while adding that at the moment, our country “does not have an anti-aircraft canopy and the main weapon of protection is our planes”.

“We believe,” he said, “in the citizens’ army.”. We have the professionals as our backbone, but with the right training we can make use of the conscripts.”

In particular, he referred to the need for conscripts to acquire “special skills that will be useful in their lives” while emphasizing IT and innovation.

“We have a very small defense ecosystem” he explained, and continued: “It produces less than 0.74% of our GDP. For this we are creating with funding an innovation center, but also an innovation directorate of the Armed Forces. We are asking for original solutions that will meet the needs of the Armed Forces. If it’s acceptable to the Armed Forces, we fund the prototype, and if it’s responsive we order it.” “This,” he emphasized, “can change the country’s economy.”

He pointed out the need to have a “domestic ability to maintain weapons and defense systems” while adding: “We should make sure that a part of the new systems is manufactured in Greece. The logic of ‘buying off the shelf’ must change. The biggest driver is need. And the country needs to produce weapons systems.”

Regarding the “Shields” operation, he said that “it is a first proof that Europe is learning to react faster to the challenges and geopolitical stimuli”.

“We are sending” he continued, “Greek sailors to the danger zone, but we know that there is no defense if we do not participate where Europeans are threatened and national interests”. “Greece must be involved in what is happening in the region,” he added.