The Alternate Minister of National Defence Fotis Kouvelis, in an interview he gave for ‘Eleftheros Typos’ newspaper (13/05/2018) to journalist Iasonas Pipinis, states the following:

Are we expecting progress regarding the issue of the two army officers? Are they going to be released after the Turkish elections?

It is not easy to make predictions regarding such an issue, which, on Turkish authorities’ responsibility, has been set under a non-established framework. That is, a common incident in the frontiers – meaning that it could have been solved on the spot – has been transformed into an incident Turkey has taken great advantage of. All the more so, the two Greek army officers remain imprisoned without any charge against them. The upcoming elections in Turkey certainly constitute a reference point and it is expected, in the context of the pre-election period, an emphasis to be put on rhetoric, but I believe that there will be no immediate connection with the said issue. I would like to think that the Turkish authorities, the Turkish government, will balance the situation and they will contribute to solving the issue, since any delay deteriorates the already tense situation between Turkey and Greece.

Do you estimate that Erdogan will seek a new hot incident with Greece, due to the upcoming elections in Turkey? What does Erdogan pursue through the escalation of this tension?

Since a debate has begun recently regarding the term ‘hot incident’, we should point out that when we describe situations, as those of the relations between Greece and Turkey, there must be a clear distinction of the words ‘tension’, ‘escalation’, ‘hot incident’, ‘war incident’, ‘war’. We must not lose the sense of proportion. So, we have a dispute in the air and at sea in the Aegean, due to the Turkish breaches and violations. In some cases, the Turkish provocativeness reaches the boundaries of the so called ‘red lines’ and it could evolve to a ‘hot incident’, that is a juxtaposition of force, without the use of weapons. To answer your question, the thing one can say with certainty is that Turkey does not make ‘random’ moves. It is decisive for our moves and reactions to thoroughly study the behavior of the neighboring country and define our position accordingly, with composure and determination, but mainly with a deterrence logic, supported by our armed forces’ power. The president of Turkey tries to achieve his political and geopolitical goals and these include the Greek-Turkish relations, from which he seeks benefits regarding his domestic policy, because he knows very well that his revisionary strategy is not going to succeed.

The opposition has ‘challenged’ SYRIZA to announce early elections in the fall of 2018. Mrs Fofi Gennimata has also requested elections immediately. Would it be useful to conduct the elections next fall, so that economy is not negatively affected by the intense rumor regarding elections?

Let me remind you that New Democracy party has turned this request to a strategy and it digs it up from time to time, from the first months of the existence of this government. Through this, it tries to cover its strategic dead-end and the issues it has been responsible for, both as governing party and as a political party, which led the country to the crisis and demerit. Regarding Mrs Gennimata, who seemed to support the request of New Democracy party for early elections, I should point out that she contradicts herself, since on one hand, she raises an issue of Constitutional Revision – a procedure that presupposes the existence of the present Parliament – and on the other hand, she requests elections immediately. This government has a mission that governs all its decisions: to complete the program, to conclude the austerity policy and activate productive reconstruction procedures, so that the country progress to growth and society can ‘see the light at the end of the tunnel’. This procedure must not be disturbed and there is no reason for elections, that is termination of people’s mandate. The ‘rumor’ to which you refer is clearly a part of the opposition’s communication campaign, led by New Democracy and nothing more.

If, as the polls show, SYRIZA is defeated in the next elections, should it try to approach the Movement for Change again, for the establishment of a common front? Could the ‘defeated SYRIZA’ participate in a New Democracy-led government?

The polls usually do not verify themselves. Regarding the issue of cooperation and alliances, these should depend on some principles and specific goals, depending each time on the needs of the country and the society. It is not an issue of approach among the political powers, but rather of necessity imposed by the conditions. Today, in our country and in Europe as well, two poles are shaped, one deeply conservative and one progressive. Facing this challenge, everyone who define themselves as Left, Center-Left, Center, social democrats, should take a stand, on the condition, of course, that they break any relation they might have developed with the neo-liberal policy. The day after the country exits the MOU policies, with the level of the government’s political autonomy that will have been shaped, I believe we should lead ourselves to progressive convergences.

Will you claim again any office after the elections? Will you participate in SYRIZA’s political procedures?

The issue is not what I will personally do after the elections, that is after one year and a half, but what we will all do in the time period before the elections and during which a lot of things can be done. Regarding my participation in SYRIZA’s political procedures, I would like to say that the fact of my participation itself in the government’s effort shows the level of my contribution to these procedures. Further more, the Radical Left and the Renovating Left party is ‘paternal land’ for me.

Let us go back in 2013. In retrospect, was Democratic Left party’s decision wrong to withdraw from Samara’s government?

Developments have completely justified us. The Democratic Left party’s participation in the specific government had a specific goal, which was to avoid the country’s disorderly bankruptcy. Unfortunately, the other partners of this governmental coalition decided, by exploiting our stand, to proceed in implementing their whole political agenda, which was obviously out of our political boundaries. Our experience has taught us that participation in a government is not an end in itself. What matters is that the political goals are achieved, and these goals, for a left-progressive power, must be no other than social interests and the country’s defence.

You have received intense criticism for your participation in SYRIZA government and especially in a Ministry, where Panos Kammenos is in charge.

The government’s effort constitutes a collective mobilization of powers to achieve a common goal. Despite the individual organization chart of each Ministry, there is cooperation and mutual understanding, and in this context, we operate as leaders of the Ministry of National Defence. Besides, I have many times stated that the cooperation with Mr. Kammenos is very smooth.