The Alternate Minister of National Defence, Panagiotis Rigas, in an interview he gave on ALPHA Channel today, Tuesday 4 September 2018, stated amongst other things the following:

Regarding the Greek-Turkish relations and Turkey’s conduct:

The Greek government has established a policy regarding foreign affairs, which takes effects. We can see the effects in our wider area that is a difficult area. We have maintained peace. We have built relationships of trust with all countries. The way Turkey deals with matters, with its Ministers raising their voices, is nothing new; but let’s not further a situation of tension. We keep an eye on things and obviously, our Country’s integrity – and I am stating the obvious in my capacity as Alternate Minister of National Defence – is guaranteed and non-negotiable. However, the manner in which we deal with such matters is very important; as was in fact shown in the way we handled the situation with the two Greek officers.

Regarding the visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Kotzias, to Izmir:

There were always communication channels. Allow me to remind you that this is the key element to the relations between countries. In difficult circumstances, it is necessary to have communication channels and contacts. Apart from that, you saw for yourselves, the way we dealt with matters with sufficient vigor and in an appropriate manner, but also the result we achieved as Greek government.
We are not here to talk about what Mr. Cavusoglu says each time, but about the way you defend your national interests and mainly, how you form the conditions and you follow someone in a way that may lead to a dead end.

Regarding the debate between Zacharakis and Vaxevanis and what Mr. Avgenakis said about the alleged involvement of the Prime Minister

Neither Mr. Vaxevanis nor anyone else sets out our strategy and our policy. If some people are disturbed about what comes out, they should give answers, because no answer has been given so far to what went public. There are questions still unanswered.

Regarding the economy:

The extension of the first sectoral collective labor agreements started yesterday. What will be announced over the next few days will involve taxation and pensions.
New Democracy party wishes that the debate strays from the facts. We came out of the crisis. We exited the memoranda. We came out of supervision and at the same time, there is development that based on official information provided by the Greek Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) reached 2.5% during the first quarter of 2018 and it remains to be seen what percentage it will reach by the end of the year, but in any case it will be above 2%; we are optimistic that it will reach 3%.
We keep hearing about pensions. There will be no cuts in pensions, because there is no reason to do so. This is going to happen and it remains to be seen. We kept hearing about VAT in the islands; that did not happen either. One by one, each of New Democracy’s allegations contradicts itself. They have come to chase their tails!
As far as the Single Property Tax (ENFIA) is concerned, it is actually lower than last year. We have said that we are not the ones who introduced it and we make great efforts to proceed to a fair system. Action will be concentrated to this matter.
In general, the Government’s moves in the upcoming period will be for the benefit of the working classes; the minimum wage level will be raised. New Democracy party, along with PASOK, is the one that introduced the lower minimum wage under Papadimos’ Government; they humiliated young workers and behaved to them in a racist manner.