The Alternate Minister of National Defence, Panagiotis Rigas, in an interview he gave on REAL FM Radio Station today, Wednesday 5 September 2018, and to the journalists, Vasilis Lyritzis and Dimitris Kampourakis, stated amongst other things the following:

Regarding his presence at the Ministry of National Defence and his first impressions:

I am still a man of politics with the principles we have developed. The country’s Armed Forces have offered a lot to the society in many areas during this difficult period. In the health sector, in disaster response, in dealing with refugees; but it has also done much through the actions of the Studies and Constructions Unit (MOMKA), actions that create development opportunities. The social work of the Armed Forces is great, apart from preserving national sovereignty. In the area of the Armed Forces, the military and civil personnel operate under terms that we should all comply with. In many cases, the Greek Armed Forces serve as an example to all of us, about how we should operate in order to be efficient.

Regarding the problems with the Turkish side relating to the fishermen in the area of Samothraki:

Let’s not treat it as something that has never happened before. I would like to remind you that in the past, on the side of the Ionian Sea, there were similar incidents relating to fisheries and economic interests. Speaking of today, on one hand there appears to be understanding between states and on the other hand, there is surveillance and protection both by the Coast Guard and the Navy under terms of surveillance and safeguarding sovereign rights. There are economic reasons. Calmness is required. The Greek Armed Forces and the Greek Coast Guard protect the country’s national and economic interests very carefully.

Regarding the developments in the “Macedonia” dispute and Wikileaks:

What is going on about the alleged Wikileaks revelation concerning the case is that those who rely on this specific leak do not even read well what is revealed. So, Mr. Mitsotakis should not use it to justify his attitude during the previous period. We have ensured what we have said: the composite name erga omnes at domestic and foreign level. That did not apply and was not accepted during that period. Of course New Democracy party at that time, the Government at that time had accepted many things of which we are being allegedly accused today.

But let’s stick to the following: First of all, the existence of peace in the Balkans is for the benefit of the Greek national interest. Secondly, the economic growth is a very important factor that helps Macedonia; businessmen in the said area are very well aware of it. As far as the product certification is concerned, a Committee has been established and as soon as its work is completed based on documentation on our side, there will be no problem.

I would like to remind you that the Balkans went through a very difficult time. Borders have been shifted. We do not want to experience anything like this again. Solutions that create development are for the benefit of the entire area. The economic recovery and the raising of the standard of living reduce the nationalistic ideas and the rhetoric that leads to a dead end.

Regarding whether SYRIZA will suffer an “electoral loss” in Northern Greece:

We have never measured the political cost. As of the day that we assumed the country’s governance, during that difficult period, we called a spade a spade and we took our responsibility. We are now taking our responsibility again and we honestly refer to the reason why the problem should be solved. Credit for this has to go to us, regardless of whether anyone agrees or disagrees. So, we take initiatives without measuring the political cost and we are strongly interested in what we consider it is ideal for our country after all it has been through. So, we insist on persuading the people. That is the question.

Regarding the amounts due to military officers based on the decision of the Council of State:

The decision is clear. The economic team concludes at the moment everything that will be announced at the Thessaloniki International Fair. The implementation of the Council of State’s decision on military officers falls within this framework. It will be an integrated proposal to be made in the Thessaloniki International Fair during the post-memorandum period and it will also be reflected in the country’s budget.

Regarding the political climate and the political debate:

The predator may not attack the prey and ask from it to do more. I refer to the New Democracy party. We are in a situation driven by specific governments in previous years. We are very well aware of who was controlling and what and in what way manipulated institutions. We are opposed to that. Our wish is that all institutions function under democratic terms and terms of equality towards citizens.

Responding to the argument alleging that the Government proceeds with benefits in view of a pre-election period:

We never did that. The fact that the New Democracy party – which left the country at the edge of a cliff – wants to call what is announced “pre-election benefits” is its problem. We wish to compensate citizens for all the effort that we jointly made. It is the outcome of such an effort. We wanted the society to get on its feet. We were accused of supporting social groups that have suffered a lot. The cohesion of society is very important in a democracy. Crisis management may not take place under inhuman terms.