The Alternate Minister of National Defence Dimitris Vitsas in an interview that he gave on Friday, August 26, 2016, on SKAI TV to journalist Vasilis Lyritzis, stated, among other things:

About the developments in Turkey and the wider region:

The situation in Turkey and in the wider region is not normal. The only thing we can wish and for which we work for at the same time is for the Turkish people to find their way towards stabilizing the situation.

Of course, we all together, the European Union as well, bear a particular responsibility to work in such a manner that a political solution is planned for the wider region and a real victory against the Islamic State is marked, which definitely is not a state.

Despite the fact that south-eastern Turkey seems to be too far away, the developments there concern us. Because the migrant flows are caused by the fact that many areas and people are bombarded, human lives are taken and people leave their homelands in seek of security. As long as this goes on, the consequences will still exist.

About the refugees’ issue:

Apart from the diplomatic action there must also be an action of the European Union for the observation of the agreement. Observing the agreement would also favour Turkey, not only in a financial aspect but also in relation to the role that it can play in solving these issues. It is not a peace establishing power, unfortunately, because it faces also internal problems.

We must strengthen our efforts for the management of the refugees’ issue. This is an issue, not a problem, in the sense of human rights and humane behaviour. We must strengthen our efforts within the European Union. What we try to achieve is a distribution of the burden. It is not possible for the borderline countries which accept first refugees to bear the whole burden. There are problems there too. There is the Visegrad Group which refuses to cooperate. We hear that in Hungary they are planning a referendum.  
 
About the management of the refugees’ issue:

From the very beginning that the borders were closed an inter-ministerial institution was created presided by the Prime Minister. An informal political institution is subordinate to the former which comprises Giannis Mouzalas, Nikos Toskas, Thodoris Dritsas and ad hoc participants representing the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Transports and, of course, Alexis Charitsis participates too.

Based on this, there is a certain planning with which we try to solve problems, sometimes with difficulties, sometimes not, because there is always a local community, a financial situation, there are the refugees themselves and the migrants, and we must manage all these factors.

At the moment, there are more than 50 accommodation centres in the Greek mainland. Our problem is that a great number of refugees and migrants have gathered on the islands. According to the agreement, they must pass the first stage of the consideration of their asylum application and those who will be granted asylum will come to the Greek mainland.

Taking into account, what we had been promised by the agreement as far as specialists and assistance are concerned, they have not been accomplished so fast as we would like to. We would be able to bring a number – not a small one – of persons from islands to the mainland if this procedure had been completed.

There is a planning for the Greek mainland too. Giannis Mouzalas described it. According to it, over this period the centres will become smaller and will be reduced, they will be 31-33 centres, so that they will be more manageable. At the same time, the accommodation in houses and hotels financed by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees can be increased. The relocation to other European countries can also be increased. This is very difficult. Mr. Avramopoulos, as well as Mr. Stylianidis, make great efforts.

Over the next months, at the latest by the end of the year, some centres located within the region of Thessaloniki will be closed; they had been created to help in reducing the residents of Eidomeni centre. Some others will be maintained or reconstructed. Thrace and some prefectures near the borders will be excluded.

From there on, we try to form a situation so that every region undertakes a certain amount of burden when needed, which might not be necessary, but we have to be prepared for it. The most important of the preparation is for other European countries to assume responsibility as well.

About Defence Minister’s statement on the television broadcast licenses:

Mr. Kammenos stated this as leader of a political party and as a member of the government. He has been in politics for years, he is aware of many things, probably he wants to say an opinion.

At present, the Parliament decided to grant licenses for four networks, plus the State Television. There will also be regional and special thematic tv networks, there will also be cable tv networks.

This is the beginning of an arrangement, of putting in order a procedure which had been illegal and sis not conform to the constitution.

About the ELSTAT issue and the Commission’s intervention:

The debate which is held does not regard the correctness of the data, but the Georgiou case over that particular period. I think that this intervention should not have been made towards the Greek government, but towards the Justice. If they have something to say they should say it in the court.