The Alternate Minister of National Defence Fotis Kouvelis, in an interview given to ‘Sunday Ethnos’ newspaper (7-8/04/2018) with the journalist Fofi Giotakis, untitled ‘Do not let the Center-Left Party become the Pilate’, states the following:

Mr Minister, you mention every time the need to build a strong pole of progress. Does this include a model of a progressive governing?

There are two political poles in the country: one is extremely neoliberal and conservative and the other progressive. The political powers of the so called intermediary party – whether referred to as ‘center-left’ or as ‘social democrats’ – cannot be neutral. By justifying their self-identification, they must seek convergence with the left party and essentially close the chapter of following the same path with the neoliberal policy. The progressive powers, if they really want to be progressive, cannot be neutral observers, regarding the conflict between the progressive and the conservative policy and remain inactive, as far as their alliances are concerned. The social and political actualities and the difficulty of the attempt to achieve a progressive governing dictates the broad social and political progressive alliances and common paths.
The normalization of the relation between the Center-Left Party and the Left Party does not conflict with its self-identification attempt, nor does it lead to its identification of a different nature by SYRISA. Its dispute regarding the neoliberal policy, the corruptive tactics and the scare-mongering opposition of the N.D. Party could strategically shape the conditions for the establishment of a progressive pole. The contrast between progressive and conservative forces is still present.

Can the initiative of Mrs Gennimata, regarding the initiation of the review process, lead to the majority of 180 Members of the Parliament?

I consider that Mrs Gennimata position to respond to the need of initiating the Constitution’s review process is positive and shows the political attitude to create a broad, as far as possible, consent for constitutional changes. The review of the Constitution lays the ground for institutional changes, that will revive the function of democracy. The review is an opportunity which must not be lost, subjected to short term party expediencies and needs. It should also ensure the guarantees’ expansion of the fair state and progressive sections of the political system’s function. No doubt, it should abolish the unacceptable provision regarding the penal liability of the Government members.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis refused to ‘discuss’ the ‘Macedonia naming dispute’ and the Constitution with the present government. What is your comment?

Mr Mitsotakis’ denial to accept the initiation of the review process essentially passes judgement on his announcements and promises regarding modernizations and new policy. They show submission to the sterile opposition tactics towards the Government in many and multiple levels, with the expectation and estimation that this way it will be undermined. This way it only undermines the country’s interests and not the Government. This is also completely opposite to everything he used to say about the Constitution and to everything that his party claimed, regarding the ‘national position’ for the settlement of the ‘macedonia naming dispute’.

Mr Juncker has asked the President of Turkey for the return of the two Greek officers before Easter. However, developments in general, do not allow us to be optimistic. How does Erdogan deal with the situation?

The capture and detention of our two military members is a borderline incident between the two countries. It could and it should be dealt with, through a simple arrangement between the two sides, like other incidents were dealt with in the recent, as well as in the distant past. Since the first moment, we wished that this incident be dealt with, this way. But Turkey did not respond and included this incident in the escalated tension. The fact that our military men are kept in prison for more than a month is unacceptable. Through our steady position that the unacceptable detention of our military members does not offset, nor is it exchanged with decisions of the independent Greek justice, we claim their return home. Our foreign policy activity is both systematic and persistent, regarding the officers’ release. Mr Juncker’s actions and statements are in this context.

The Prime Minister stated that ‘we are not afraid’ of the Turkish aggression and that Greece possesses a powerful deterrent force. Is the alarm already sounding? What does that mean for the Aegean?
The answer to the aggressive rhetoric of Turkey is that there are no ‘gray’ zones. International law and international treaties clearly define our sovereign rights.
Greece is a country of peace and peace is what it promotes. But, at the same time, Greece is aware and has the means, at all times, with efficiency, and a sufficient deterrent force, to protect its sovereign rights. No alarm is sounding.

Regarding the Skopje issue you have stated that a solution can be found through an International Treaty that prevails over the Constitution. What do you mean?

The solution of the so called ‘Macedonia naming dispute’ is for Greece’s benefit as well, with conditions that refer to irredentism, the frontiers’ guarantee even with a compound name, erga omnes. Our country can decisively contribute to the stability of the region and become a factor of this stability. A region consisting of different populations that do not get along with one another. An ‘international treaty’, with recorded commitments regarding irredentism, in its many forms, the non dispute of the frontiers, the name, prevails over the present or future Constitution. Of course, FYROM’s Constitution review and its simultaneous harmonization with the ‘international treaty’s’ provisions will raise a liability on its behalf, regarding international law. Besides, ‘not finding a solution’ feeds Turkey’s expansion choices, which shows its ‘interest’ for the Turks and Muslims of the region, to develop its own influence ‘bow’. We should also take under consideration the emerging trend, by political powers of the region, of the establishment of   ‘Greater Albania’.