The Minister of National Defense Nikos Panagiotopoulos expressed his certainty that the “complex security environment” in which we live “requires decisions and above all actions”, speaking today, Tuesday, July 5, at the Economist conference.
“The response to threats is the actions to ensure a security environment against revisionism” clarified N. Panagiotopoulos, during his intervention in the section “Security challenges for Europe and the Middle East against the backdrop of geopolitical turmoil”.
As the Minister of Defense said, “the security environment changed after the invasion of Russia” which caused “initiatives at the European level” but also “bold decisions with the expansion of NATO”.
Beyond Finland and Sweden, he focused on the military reinforcement of countries in the southeast, such as Bulgaria and Romania, while underlining that “Europe has aligned its strategic compass with the content of NATO.”
“He recognized”, added N. Panagiotopoulos, “the threats and developed possibilities”. He called, “historic the decision of Germany to invest in equipment worth 100 billion.” while he added that in order for “sanctions on Russia to be effective, the front must remain intact”.
Regarding the relations between Greece, Cyprus and Israel, N. Panagiotopoulos emphasized that “we have invested in our cooperation with Cyprus and Israel” while he went on to say that the three countries have “a common approach to what constitutes a stable environment in the wider region”.
For Turkey, N. Panagiotopoulos pointed out that it has to change its attitude and “play by the rules”, that is, to keep agreements, to respect international law and good neighborly relations. “If she changes her behavior,” he said, “then she is welcome in the community of countries working for stability in the region.”
For his part, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz began his intervention by saying that “Israel is always faced with wars” and continued: “Today we see that war is a possibility everywhere.”
“As the war in Ukraine rages, every country must learn to defend itself,” he added.
“The war,” he said, “reminds us that regionally and globally cooperation for peace is important.”
He characterized Israel’s relations with Greece and Cyprus as “close” which are “promoted by dialogue” and constitute a “Defense alliance in the Middle East with common interests” but also common threats.
He referred to Iran’s military presence, saying it is the strongest “in the last decade” and at the same time, he recommends, “a threat to stability with its relations with Hezbollah.”
In particular, for the energy cooperation of Greece, Cyprus and Israel, it “creates”, according to Benny Gantz, “a broader positive situation in the region”.
“To write history correctly, we must look to the future and keep our children in mind,” concluded Benny Gantz.
“We are living in difficult situations where the only certainty is uncertainty,” stressed the Minister of Defense of Cyprus Charalambos Petridis.
On Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he commented that “it is the first time that the EU has acted with unanimity and speed and on matters of stability and security”. As he said, this is “the only way to face” the challenges. “We must,” he added, “be united and react immediately.”
“We see”, he continued, “policies of revisionism” on the part of Turkey, while pointing out that Turkey “did not comply with the sanctions” while “playing a double role by blaming” Cyprus and Greece and threatening the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.
At the same time, said H. Petridis, Turkey “proceeds in illegal exploitation and violation of the EEZ of Cyprus” while “provocations in the closed city of Famagusta” do not stop.
Regarding the European compass, he emphasized that “decisions must be implemented immediately and we must remain united”. “Cyprus”, he added, “functions as a pillar of stability for Europe and the Middle East”. “I believe”, he underlined, “that the path we are following is the right one”.
SOURCE: APE-ME
Source: Capital
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