Mister Minister, Turkey’s provocative statements continue, they are now contesting the islands’ continental shelf, they bring up the demilitarization of the islands; how does our country respond to all that?

Greece is the incontestable pillar of peace, security and stability in Southeast Europe, as well as in the East Mediterranean. This is not a rhetorical axiom but a reality, acknowledged by a growing number of the other participants in the European Union, in NATO, as well as at a broader level. We are not contesting, we are not claiming, we are not insulting an internationally accepted status quo, as it has been shaped by the International Law; it is the exact opposite of Turkey, which fails to realise that vis-à-vis an attitude of good neighbourly relations, it cannot act as a troublemaker and a revisionist.

Our position is clear: “What is being threatened cannot be demilitarised”; as designated in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations on the legitimate use of self-defence, in case of threat against the islands or any other area of a country’s territory. Legitimate defence, one of the most important rights of the international legal order, has the effect of mandatory law and this feature has an increased legal value and prevails all other international rules. This is the framework that coerces and legalises Greece to take all the necessary precautionary measures, in order to protect the Greek islands of the Aegean.

The Greek side speaks with realism, based on current facts, without seeking after historical visions and expansionism. Therefore, we should mention to all parties interested that the potential expansion of territorial waters from 6 to 12 nautical miles is Greece’s lawful right, which may be exercised without preconditions, as referred in article 3 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The fact that this right has not been exercised yet does not mean that it has been given up…

Practically, what does “self-collected confidence”, Greece refers to, mean?

Sobriety, keeping a low profile and eagerness for understanding are the characteristics of Mitsotakis’ Government, which has managed to change our country’s image at international level, within a very short period of time. This is what we call “self-collected confidence”, on account of which we were capable to keep open channels for communication with all key players in the region, we have confirmed in the best possible way our strategic defence cooperation with the United States, we have developed excellent relations with the French Republic, as well as our multileveled cooperation with Cyprus, Israel and Egypt.

In parallel, we have dynamically returned to both institutional and political EU and NATO bodies with proposals, interventions and a dynamic presence, in order to promote and guarantee the Greek people’s sovereign rights and vital interests. We would like to eliminate all gaps and omissions made from January 2015 up to July 2019, with a clear spirit, without obsessions and, as the Prime Minister Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis mentioned in the Parliament on Thursday, seeking political assent. We are a government appealing to all Greeks, without being given to anyone, yet which is seen as a serious pillar for peace and security.

In this spirit, could the discussions concerning the CBMsproceed, as it was agreed last September in New York?

At my recent meeting with the Turkish Defence Minister Mt. Hulusi Akar, in the margins of NATO’s last ministerial meeting, we had a discussion concerning the Confidence Building Measures. We agreed to keep the communication channel open, whilst agreeing on relaunching the dialogue on CBMs.

Discussions on CBMs are a positive activity, however we cannot hope on valid confidence building perspectives within the general tension in the area, largely to Turkey’s fault. As long as revisionism and tension persist, CBMs become meaningless, a dead letter. We have a good will, and an equally good will is what we expect.

Given Turkey’s persisting provocations, are you worried about a “hot incident”?

This is not a matter of “personal concern”; it is a mater of the procedures, the mission and the fundamental duty of the Armed Forces. The military leadership and the personnel of the Armed Forces really go past themselves, providing a feeling of security to the Greek people, and the guarantee for our country’s national independence and sovereignty.

In the context of a broader defence planning, several scenarios are included, among which a potential engagement; this does not mean that we will definitely face a difficult situation. As far as we keep open channels of communication and a good will, there is ground for diplomatic action. However, we need to be ready for all eventualities.

We recently had Pompeo’s letter to the Prime Minister. According to your estimation, will the US support have a practical appeal, in case Mr. Erdogan and Turkey escalate their provocations and realise the threats they have been projecting, regarding drillings?

Beyond the “prophets of doom” of our opposition, we should see the reality. For four decades now, no similar letter has ever been sent by the Head of the State Department. This is the best answer to certain people who might question the positive outcome of the Government delegation’s visit to Washington.

Pompeo’s letter shows full support to the Greek positions and proves the success of Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ visit. The head of the US diplomacy confirms that the United States not only refer to the need to resolve our differences peacefully, but also to the need to avoid provocative actions or declarations. As a matter of fact, at two points Mr. Pompeo underlines that the United States “remain bound to supporting Greece’s prosperity, security and democracy”.

This way, Greece’s support “as a leader in Europe, as a key ally and as a critical player in the East Mediterranean and the Balkans” is clarified, and a very clear reference to the International Law is being made. All that, when combined with the US Ambassador’s and the State Department’s recent statements that the islands have an EEZ and a continental shelf, demonstrate that the United States speak in favour of the Greek positions. Their tone is more clear and explicit, than ever before.

When will the negotiations with the United States on the procurement of the F-35 begin, and what would the purchase of such aircraft mean for our country’s defence?

As you know, the upgrade programme for 84 F-16 Block 52 aircraft is ongoing. The relative procedure was approved by the Parliament and is currently ongoing, after years of obstructions.

With the completion of this programme and the delivery of the aircraft, we shall have a different F-16 fleet, therefore a different Air Force, with upgraded capabilities, especially as far as the electronic systems of the aircraft are concerned. The Viper edition is a threshold -an intermediate stage- for the transition from 4th generation to 5th generation aircraft, i.e. the F-35. This programme opens the possibility to our domestic air industry to be able to probably perform in the future support works for 5th generation aircraft, the purchase of which has already been discussed at the recent meeting of Mitsotakis and Trump at the White House.

How would you comment on SYRIZA’s opposition to the validation of Greece-US defence cooperation agreement, at the discussion in the Parliament?

The overall position of SYRIZA, to a matter on which it should demonstrate an open spirit and a will for consent, is surprising; especially given the fact that the agreement was largely prepared by the SYRIZA-ANEL Government. In any case, it should be underlined that with the Mutual Defence Cooperation Agreement between Greece and the United States of America, peace, security and stability in the area are ensured. It is a development that favours our national interests.

I would like to highlight that in the framework of this agreement, American presence is expected in Alexandroupolis. I believe that this is a really positive fact which upgrades the port of Alexandroupolis in favour of the local economy, also given the excellent cooperation achieved during the removal of the dredger, by US initiative and funding. Thus, the mutual benefit for both sides in the context of the Agreement is practically proved.

How would you comment on the developments regarding finding a political solution in Libya? Are you optimistic that Greece will be present at the next levels of the procedure?

There is an incontestable principle which defines that, due to the developments, Greece has vital interests in the area, which it will claim, defending its sovereign rights in any way. This was a remark also made by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at a telephone conversation he had with the German chancellor Ms. Angela Merkel, during which he pointed out that the Greek positions are clear to everyone and no one ignores them, underlining that the agreements signed by turkey with the internationally recognised Government of Libya are invalid.

Greece is present at the developments and procedures, and it receives by all the international fora in the European Union, NATO and all international organisations, clear messages, a strong signal and significant allies, so as to succeed its primary goal, the predominance of legality and stability in Libya. The first step can be made with cease-fire and the immediate evacuation of foreign elements and foreign forces.

The Prime Minister recently visited France, which supports the Greek positions in the Libyan issue. What does our country expect from France’s policy in the region?

PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ discussion with the President of France Emmanuel Macron mainly concerned matters of security, defence and the developments in the broader region. It is obvious that there is mutual understanding between Athens and Paris, in the context of sincere and close Strategic Alliance.

We have a common view of several other issues, we are ready to perform mutual military exercises as well as operations to ensure peace and stability in the East Mediterranean. The tightening of our bonds with France strengthens Greece’s deterrence power, but also confirms its role in the region.

France already intensifies its naval presence in the East Mediterranean, and this practically proves the will both countries share, so as to cooperate for peace and stability in the area.

Do you believe that part of the financial availability created by the growth the Greek economy has entered into should be oriented towards an increase in defence expenditures?

The Prime Minister has already announced extra funds for defence expenditures; it is imperative, due to the geopolitical circumstances, as well as to the need for armament renewal. We need to think and act in a clever, targeted and prioritized way, based on the needs that should be covered, and on our priorities in the framework of our current financial capability.

For example, acquiring heavy torpedoes of advanced technology is an absolute priority in the Hellenic Navy’ armaments needs, so that they can be used by the modern type 214 submarines. Should they not have modern torpedoes to operate, their operational capability is diminished. The relative procurement procedures are underway.