The Alternate Minister of National Defence Panos Rigas in an interview he gave to “NEA SELIDA” newspaper (05/05/2019) and journalist Georgia Sadana, mentioned the following:
1. In the last days you confirmed also a status of public “escalation” of the Turkish provocativeness. Has the status of our relations with the neighbouring country changed and what is the cause of such escalation in your opinion?
The Turkish provocativeness is a long-lasting situation with fluctuations. We deal with this situation through time with composure and determination, preventing any harmful outcome and any accomplished facts at the expense of our national interests. The Turkish leadership has used violations as a tool in geopolitical terms, but this situation cannot stand by itself and produce results. It is a deadlock policy, which has nothing to offer to the Turkish side but isolation. The isolation of our neighbors implies that there is a risk of bringing up a vicious circle of new tensions and challenges. This is something we take seriously under consideration and we take the necessary measures. Nevertheless, it should be understood by everyone that international politics, in our age, cannot be exercised by looking back and dreaming about a reestablishment of empires.
Our country focuses on shaping conditions of stability, and not of instability, in the wider region of the East Mediterranean. The bilateral and trilateral meetings through Greece’s initiative reinforce the security policies and the economic growth in the region as well. Greece is a pillar of stability and that constitutes our geopolitical advantage.
2. In the same context, do you think that if Turkey purchases the S-400 type missile system will influence its superior firepower significantly? What are the Defence Ministry’s and the government’s comments with regard to this development?
The issue of armaments’ balance is a complex issue and we deal with it from the point of view of deterrence. No weapon is unlimited and no one stays at the top of the armaments pyramid for ever. The acquisition of an advanced antiaircraft system by a neighbour across the Aegean Sea does not necessarily lead to a superior firepower, but it imposes readjustments, which would somehow be necessary. The Hellenic Armed Forces and their arsenal, given their high readiness level, are in a position to defend our sovereignty rights. From then on, we evaluate any new data and we plan our defence policy, either with regard to armaments or forces’ structure, following the rule of preserving and reinforcing our deterrence power.
3. What is your reply to the statements of your Turkish counterpart “regarding demilitarization of the Greek islands”? Will such statements influence Turkey’s accession into the EU and Greece’s general stance on that matter?
As I said before, the Turks like to provoke, projecting outrageous claims. There is no issue of “demilitarization of the Aegean islands”. The right of a country to defend its territorial integrity is a constituent of its existence. There are no areas in the Greek territory which are under a limited national sovereignty status, so we organize the defence of our national territory according to our decisions alone. Especially regarding the “demilitarization” issue, Turkey has been trying over several years to counterbalance the defence arming of the Greek islands against the offensive disposition of its forces on the coast across the sea. I explicitly repeat that there is no such issue.
Regarding Turkey’s accession into the EU, this had to do with its behavior from the beginning. The Turkish leadership seems to have no interest in its accession perspective into the European family, so we must also consider this aspect. Our geopolitical environment has become very complex for someone to deal with situations from only one aspect.
4. We are clearly at a pre-election period, with high tensions and accusations by both sides regarding “scandals”. Do you think that there are issues in the whole political spectrum which must be investigated by the Department of Justice?
It would be a provocation towards the Greek people if we stated “what is done, is done, let’s move forward”. SYRIZA was and still is in support of a complete transparency and investigation of every issue. The acceptance of a rationale implying that “there are liabilities regarding scandals in the whole political spectrum” would serve to conceal and not to reveal. Generalization never helps, on the contrary, it impedes the investigation of a problem. Let us not forget that the scandals “hatched” in specific political arenas, under specific conditions and under very specific liabilities. Let me remind you that two former Ministers of Defence – as well as many other members of the formerly solid bi-partisanship of the past – were imprisoned for corruption and squandering of public funds. Justice must perform its duty without distractions.
5. The last polls show that SYRIZA comes second regarding the voters’ choices. Do you get the same feedback from the citizens?
I reiterate that, as reality itself has shown, over the last years, the polls published are – at least – deficient. The fact itself that one person out of four is undecided shows that the said measurements are not suitable for us to reach safe conclusions. Our communication with the citizens shows the opposite of the polls’ projection; besides, the setting and the dilemmas of the parliamentary elections are just beginning to become clear. The democratic and progressive citizens will give their answer at the ballot-boxes, strongly contradicting the propaganda of New Democracy and its media friends.
6. How do you estimate the effort of making up a broad Progressive Alliance with SYRIZA as the main body? In your capacity as Secretary of the Party in the past, do you believe it is the right timing for its expansion and towards what direction?
The Progressive Alliance is not an opportunistic electoral finding of SYRIZA. It constitutes a strategic decision which as a necessity has its roots in the past, but mainly it has perspective. The present conditions are an opportunity to express what was requested for many years now: that is, the common political-electoral expression of the progressive powers, aiming at a progressive governance. This constitutes a necessity, in order for the country to keep recovering, after exiting from the crisis and the bailout programme. The conditions are favourable and SYRIZA responds to the current needs and the needs of the society.
The Progressive Alliance does not constitute an “expansion” of SYRIZA in neighbouring sectors, but a gathering of these sectors towards a common goal, serving the needs of the Greek people and responding to everyone’s obligation to help the country recover. This is the direction of the Progressive Alliance, growth through a progressive governance, against the neo-liberalism and the restoration of the political establishment, which led the country to destruction.
7. New Democracy’s Leader announced the presentation of an amendment tomorrow, regarding the reduction of tax exemptions. How do you comment on this?
I think what fits here is the motto “a drowning man will clutch at a straw”. Every time the New Democracy’s Leader tries to move forward, he is anticipated by the developments and he is forced to race to catch up with them. Let me remind you what he used to say about the allegedly fourth memorandum, the pensions’ reduction which never occurred and so many other things that were never confirmed. So, everything will be dealt with in proper time and that applies to tax exemptions. Mr. Mitsotakis will be empty-handed once again. Indicative of his hypocrisy and populism is also the fact that a few days ago, when he hosted his political friend, Mr. Weber, in Greece, a man of anti-Greek stance, he did not even think to raise the issue with him.
8. Has the Prespes Agreement influenced our bilateral relations in your area of responsibility and what is the meaning of North Macedonia’s accession to NATO for our country?
The Prespes Agreement produces both immediate and mid-term and long-term results in our region. It constitutes a stability factor in the Balkans and an example of solving long-lasting problems. In the field of the defence cooperation, Greece and North Macedonia build up on cooperation, on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. This cooperation, besides its status in the context of NATO, has features of bilateral defence cooperation. Both countries can benefit from the stability in the region.
9. What would you consider as a challenge of the 26th of May elections? Do you consider national elections as important as the European elections regarding the domestic political system?
The main challenge of European elections is to transmit everyone the message of the progressive powers’ activation against neo-liberalism, the revival of the far right, racism and austerity in Europe. The rejection of these politicians on the 26th of May will foretell progressive developments in Europe and will prepare the ground for the great victory in Greece’s national elections.
