N. CHATZINIKOLAOU: We will discuss, now, with the Minister of National Defence, Mr. Evangelos Apostolakis. Mr. Minister, thank you for accepting our invitation. I will start by asking you how Greece could help the fraternal state of Cyprus in these critical circumstances.
E. APOSTOLAKIS: Good evening Mr. Chatzinikolaou. Thank you very much for your invitation. Many actions have been taken so far since the problem of the drillings began. There is already a coordination of actions with the Republic of Cyprus. All this international support by both the European Union and the United States came after coordinated actions and great effort.
N. CHATZINIKOLAOU: Is this enough, Mr. Minister? What I mean is: Will Turkey stop her actions?
E. APOSTOLAKIS: At a first stage, this was what could be done. If they do not stop, we have to proceed to further action and this is what we will try for right now, as the Prime Minister agreed with Mr. Anastasiadis at the Summit. We will try, at least, to have sanctions imposed against Turkey. Thus, she may be forced to stop.
N. CHATZINIKOLAOU: This, however, does not seem to be very easy because there are some countries which oppose it.
E. APOSTOLAKIS: It does not seem easy, but a battle will be fought and an effort will be made in order to persuade Europe that this is what must be done.
N. CHATZINIKOLAOU: Minister, the greatest concern for Greece is the possibility of similar Turkish activities, drilling or equivalent moves, inside Greece’s EEZ. So, how will Greece react if we deal with similar incidents, for example, in the area of Kastellorizo.
E. APOSTOLAKIS: Firstly, we will try to prevent such an action. Our whole effort aims to prevent the increase of this Turkish provocativeness and violations. But if she reaches that point, you should be sure that we will not allow this thing to happen. We will take any action is necessary to prevent this from happening. It is a violation of a sovereignty right and we should not tolerate it. There are plans, too many discussions have been made about this case, about how we should react, what we should do; we are ready to do what must be done. What we wish is that there will be no such event and every effort we make at this moment, as well as my opinion which I expressed in the United States, was this one. Let us try whatever is necessary in order to prevent ending up in such a difficult situation.
N. CHATZINIKOLAOU: In any case, there is a general preoccupation about a potential heated incident. I listen to experts who highlight this risk in their analyses over the last days.
E. APOSTOLAKIS: Allow me to say that I would not like to underestimate the experts and all those who analyse theories, but the occurrence of an incident is always possible, and not only now. At this moment, taking into consideration what is happening, some people believe that the Turkish pressure may be expressed as a heated incident. My opinion is that it is not so possible, because Turkey has to deal with too many problems. She would not like to add any more problems to the existent ones. However, we have managed until today to make strong alliances which helped us.
N. CHATZINIKOLAOU: Mr. Minister, what could concern Turkey now, in the diplomatic field? Would the customs union and its progress concern her?
E. APOSTOLAKIS: Anything related to her economy would concern her; any thing which affects her economy. Her economy is vulnerable. They face many problems, so I think that they will have to take under serious consideration any measure that may be imposed to Turkey and influence her economy.
N. CHATZINIKOLAOU: Tell me please, what is the level of readiness of the Hellenic Armed Forces over this period? And I am asking you because in such a period of concern due to Turkey’s provocativeness in the EEZ of Cyprus, it is reasonable for anyone of us to ask how ready we are, if something bad happens.
E. APOSTOLAKIS: We are ready because we could not not be ready. With so many violations every day, with so much concern over the Aegean Sea, the Hellenic Air Force, the Hellenic Navy and the Army are constantly in readiness. Fortunately, after all this long period of the financial crisis, we have managed to maintain a very good operational capability and readiness among the Armed Forces. I think we are in very good condition.
N. CHATZINIKOLAOU: The opposition and the Leader of New Democracy, Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, implied that the situation was dramatized by the Prime Minister and the government, because of yesterday’s meeting of the Government Council for Defence and Foreign Affairs. My question is simple. Was it necessary for this meeting to take place amid a pre-election period? And does it damage our tourism industry if an “atmosphere of war”, if I am allowed to describe it like this, is created?
E. APOSTOLAKIS: The Government Council of Foreign Affairs and Defence is an institution which meets when it is necessary to estimate a situation and make certain decisions. Fake news had been spread among the Media that a tension exists, that there was a preparation for war and there were also some developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, which should be examined, on the occasion of Mr. Katrougkalos’ visit to the Summit today. Some guidelines should be given too and we should coordinate with the Republic of Cyprus about how this whole situation may be dealt with. In parallel, the message there is no reason of concern and that the situation is safe, should be sent to the Greek people. I believe that the decision to summon a meeting of the Council was right because this is its role.
N. CHATZINIKOLAOU: Do you think that it sent a message of composure?
E. APOSTOLAKIS: I believe that it did. Everyone realised, listening to the Prime Minister’s statements, that we should face the situation with composure and that there is no reason of concern right now. The action that is necessary is being taken, and everything shows that the situation is under control. I am sure about this.
N. CHATZINIKOLAOU: As a conclusion, I would like you to allow me a personal question, because there have been many discussions over the last days. Will you be a candidate in the elections? Because I read somewhere that you may be a candidate MP with Syriza party.
E. APOSTOLAKIS: Mr. Chatzinikolaou, I discussed it with the Prime Minister and I decided that I should be consistent with what I have stated. I assumed a duty towards the Greek people and the Armed Forces. I am not a politician. I had no intention to become a politician. At this time, I had to take this step. Since my duty as Minister of National Defence is serious enough, I would like to continue my work as long as I am in charge of this Ministry, and not be involved in political matters. This was the reason. I thank the Prime Minister for this proposal and this honour, but my estimation and my personal plans dictate that my actions should be consistent with what I have stated.
N. CHATZINIKOLAOU: Thank you very much, Mr. Minister.
E. APOSTOLAKIS: Thank you.
