“The main concern of the citizens – as the polls show – is accuracy, that is, the real economy, if the amount of wages and income corresponds to the cost of living. This should be the government’s first and foremost concern. Because society does not deal with issues of micropolitics”, said the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, to the television station OPEN and to the journalists Manos Niflis and Yiannis Kolokythas.

Asked about televised confrontations and political scenarios, Mr. Kikilias replied: “I am not a televangelist. The prime minister appointed me to a ministry that is, in my view, one of the most critical in the country, with the most powerful fleet on the planet, 20% of the world fleet. We are judged by our work.

We are not judging whether Tsipras will form a party or what will happen in the center-left. We are judged by our effectiveness and by how we will support the Greeks”, while speaking about the New Democracy and its priorities in the next election, the Minister noted: “I feel that all possible efforts will be made for the New Democracy, when the time comes – as Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in 2027, when he will lead the country to elections – it will fight with all its might and do everything it can humanly possible to advance reforms.

ND will not deal with micro-politics and issues related to personal strategies that the world does not want to hear. People want you to work for them, let’s not kid ourselves. We are public officials, servants of the interest of Greek society and the Greek people. Anyone who can’t understand it, can’t stomach it, etc., should do another job.

This is about the politics we have to serve. We must keep pushing forward, working more and talking less. And this will lead, you can be sure, to the assessment that will be very fair of the Greek people when the time comes. Otherwise, yes, we will have problems.”

Referring to the role of the Ministry of Shipping and Insular Policy and the recent trip he made to the USA, V. Kikilias pointed out that “we are trying to take advantage of our strong shipping in combination with energy, which is a key part of development and the creation of new, well-paid jobs. That is, to be able to bring agreements with the USA for investments in infrastructure, ports, shipyards, in energy storage areas etc”.

Finally, regarding the “AEGIS 2” program, which will bring the Coast Guard into the new era, the Minister noted that the procedures for the procurement of two large open sea vessels, 80 meters long, which will have a helipad, several high-speed medium pursuit vessels, as well as a new, modern war room with the latest technology, to the standards of the corresponding of Civil Protection.

As he underlined, “AEGIS 2 will interface with aerial drones, but also with unmanned vessels, floating and underwater, which the Coast Guard will procure after tenders. If one goes to the top exhibitions abroad, as well as to the one held in our country a few months ago, one now sees the new technology. We must take advantage of it, we must shield our country and support it with all our strength.”

In this context, he stressed that the men and women of the Coast Guard must have the most modern means and technological tools in order to effectively police the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and marine parks, but also to protect projects, such as the planned hydrocarbon explorations south of Crete and natural gas infrastructure (e.g. FSRU) in areas such as Revythoussa or Alexandroupoli.