The Alternate Minister of National defence Fotis Kouvelis, in an interview he gave for 247 Radio station to journalists Voula Kechagia and Manolis Kottakis on Monday, 18 June, 2018, stated, among other things:

To the question whether there will be a majority of votes for the ratification of Greece-FYROM agreement, when it will be discussed in the Hellenic Parliament, he answered:

What I believe is that there will be an increased number of votes in respect to the number of SYRIZA MPs’ votes; there will be MPs of other parties too who will vote for this specific agreement.

Regarding the opinion polls in Macedonia and voters’ preference for SYRIZA party, as well as the perspective of the agreement:

I read the results of the polls and I evaluate them, but I estimate – I might say I am almost sure – that, in the course of time and after we go through the stages set out in the contract itself, there will be a reconciliation – I am choosing this word – of those who oppose this agreement today, and the content of this agreement will be assimilated as well; By this, I mean it will become perceived and understood. I consider the agreement very important and positive. I think that the terms and the conditions of the agreement should be emphasized. And I choose to refer to the so-called conditions, so that some people’s question whether “signing this agreement could lead to a fait accompli, if the terms and conditions are not observed by our neighbouring country”, can be answered. The answer is no, because the terms, the conditions, the stages, or the phases as they are called, have been already set out and they set the conditions. This is something I had the opportunity to discuss in the Hellenic Parliament too, based on article 2, par. 4 of this agreement, which refers clearly to all this. So, if the terms are not observed, there will be no agreement and we will call this state FYROM. North Macedonia is a key element, an essential condition of the agreement. Let us not forget that the name had been set from the very beginning of the negotiation as an indispensable part, and it would, of course, contain the word Macedonia with a geographical definition to be used erga omnes. Consequently, this essential and decisive part of the agreement is indispensable and it must be observed.

To the question whether there are cells of Golden Dawn party or members of the extreme right in the Armed Forces, the Alternate Minister of National Defence, noted:

I have to tell you frankly that there are no such cells. This does not mean, however, that I can deny the possibility that single “voices” may exist within the Armed Forces, but this does not mean that the Armed Forces – as some maintain – have been overwhelmed or will be overwhelmed by extreme right views and conduct. Any such “voices” have not caused particular behaviors which might justify the fear that they may evolve into cells. The political and military leadership of the Armed Forces are watching, are monitoring and will take the necessary measures if required.