“I have repeatedly stressed that tensions do not offer either side. It is our capabilities that discourage the other side from daring military engagement. And that is because they know the heavy costs they would have to pay. The Armed Forces are always on alert, on alert and determined “. This was stated, among others, by the Minister of National Defense, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, in an interview given to the newspaper “To Manifesto”.
Responding to what the “Mitsotakis end for me” of the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, signifies for the Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Panagiotopoulos noted that “the Turkish President, whenever he feels threatened or faces internal problems, causes tensions”.
“It simply exposes the international community and strengthens the quiver of Greek arguments, which, after all, were exposed by the Greek prime minister to the American leadership and to Congress,” he added.
The Minister of National Defense clarified that “we will not be the ones to interrupt the channels of communication” and clarified that “the dialogue, however, does not go hand in hand with aggressive rhetoric and provocative behavior. It makes no sense then what the Turkish President should understand “Greece is a pillar of stability for the wider region, but it does not make concessions in defense of its sovereign rights.”
He also stressed that “the Turkish President is wrong if he thinks that the Greek Prime Minister will not defend the sovereign rights of our country or will not face the intrusion of its territorial integrity. Certainly we will not cause any tension in the wider region.” .
The minister assured the Greek people that they must “feel absolutely safe, as our Armed Forces are present and on standby at all times.”
Asked if he was concerned about “the Commission’s recent lax response to Turkish provocation”, he said: “The Commission has repeatedly supported Greece’s undisputed sovereignty over the islands and has also repeatedly ruled may have come from Turkish officials. ”
“Therefore, let us not underestimate the support and security that the EU provides to Greece. And let us ask ourselves what things would be like if Greece were now outside the EU,” he added.
“If there has ever been a time when Greece should feel safe and secure, this is what we are going through now. Greece should not worry, European countries have been and are being protected. My view is that there can be no problem in security of Greece or another European country “, he pointed out.
In the comment that “despite the very strong imprint of the trip and the applause of the whole Congress to Mr. Mitsotakis, a few days later we had the response of Turkey with the overflights over Alexandroupolis”, Mr. Panagiotopoulos replied that “this kind” “Turkey’s response simply confirmed the arguments in favor of the Greek positions developed by Kyriakos Mitsotakis to both the American President and the members of Congress in his historic speech.”
As he said, “it is a recognition in the person of the Greek Prime Minister of a world-renowned leader who, with his continuous work, perseverance and patience, in important, strategically important issues, succeeds and passes the Greek positions”.
Explaining the overflights, he said: “It is a regular Turkish tactic to provoke. Neighbors, whenever they feel threatened or the international community makes them feel insecure, react by disrupting the security and stability environment. “to their allies. And this is not only said by us but also by partners in the region.”
Regarding the possibility of upgrading Turkish F-16 fighter jets, the minister expressed doubts about “whether it will eventually be approved by the US Legislature, the House of Representatives and the Senate.”
“The United States could not accept the sale of the F-35s to Turkey when the Turkish market for the S-400s preceded Russia. It goes without saying that the whole affair will depend on the overall behavior of the Turks,” he said. Which will be duly evaluated by the US “.
Regarding the sending of Greek material to Ukraine, he reiterated that “Greece has done its duty towards history, which dictates the prevention of any ongoing revision by authoritarian regimes. Especially when such revisions can find other imitators.”
“Greece has strengthened Ukraine in its fight to counter the Russian invasion with defense equipment weighing a total of 40 tons, consisting of ammunition of various calibers and rifles. defense equipment (vehicles) “.
“It would be” unthinkable “to weaken any point in our defense in order to reinforce a third party who would need such reinforcement. The patriotic conception of defending the national interests and the integrity of the country is always paramount.
“The Ministry of Defense implemented the government line on the issue. From the first moment, without hesitation, through the Prime Minister, this line was to place our country on the right side of history,” said Mr. Panagiotopoulos.
Regarding the timetable for the acquisition of F-35 fighter jets, the minister noted: “We have entered into discussions with the manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, which wants to strengthen its relationship with our domestic defense industry. It is already being prepared by the formal request (LOR) to their executives. The process until the acquisition is expected to take quite a long time “.
“The effort to shield Greece through the reinforcement of the Armed Forces continues and there is no room for rest. There is a plan organized, costed and in absolute priority that has been submitted directly to the Prime Minister and has been approved. In this context, the proposal “Rafale”, with secured funding, in the context of the above planning “added Mr. Panagiotopoulos.
“The whole ground support network and the personnel, the ground technicians, are in development in Tanagra, which is a necessary condition for the full integration of the Rafale in the ranks of the Air Force,” he stressed.
On whether Greece will support “any enlargement of NATO” and whether “the process with Finland and Sweden is going well”, the Minister of National Defense was categorical, noting: “Of course, yes. In addition, Greece is a key and reliable ally in “NATO and a recognized pillar of stability in the Southeastern Mediterranean. Our country participates in every structure of NATO and so Greece mobilizes and participates in all events. In this sense, of course, any enlargement of NATO has our full support.”
Source: AMPE
Source: Capital
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