During the last weeks, we observe an outburst of Turkish violations over the Aegean Sea. Do you believe this is attributed to something specific?

It is true that the last days, we observe a qualitative escalation to Turkey’s aggression; we refer to overflights of Greek islands, violations and infringements of national airspace, violations of national territorial waters, as well as provocations towards all NATO vessels participating in the NATO-led operation. I would like to underline that the operation is successful and that migration flows in the Eastern Mediterranean, from 5,000-7,000 daily, have been limited to 0-18. The fact that 17 Greek islands are contested, which are inhabited and have a financial life – such as Gavdos and Oinousses –, is considered to be an absurd provocation which could only be explained as an action for use and propaganda inside Turkey, at an effort to set a counterweight to the international community’s decision for the establishment of a Kurdish state.

Do you believe that certain circles of the neighbouring country might wish for a hot incident?

Greece knows that there are forces that want to incite tension, or even a hot incident or an accident, due to continuous complications. However Greece, acting with sobriety and respecting international law, is not drifted to actions that might lead to a loss of its rights but, at the same time, it implements its standing plans, it intercepts violating aircraft, it gets involved in case of violations of its territorial waters and it studies all documentation concerned, only aiming at defending its national sovereignty. On Easter Monday, I had a telephone discussion with NATO Secretary General. Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, after an information letter sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to NATO, asked to contact me. I briefed him on the current situation over the Aegean Sea. I explained to him that Turkish helos fly over inhabited Greek islands at 200 feet, which means 70 meters over the ground. I made it clear that, given these conditions, an accident is very likely to occur; in which case, Turkey should be the only one held responsible. I also told him that Greece wishes for a stabilisation of this situation and I asked for an intervention by him and by the allied countries, so that this risky game will come to an end. Finally, I underlined that we will not leave unanswered such efforts that contest our national sovereignty.

Was there some time that an incident at air really troubled you? In early March, a Turk F-16 pilot switched off his aircraft lights when a Greek aircraft approached for interception…

This was also what a Turkish torpedo boat did to a Dutch vessel. It switched its lights off, moved swiftly at a very close distance and this dangerous incident has been recorded and is a part of the Dutch captain’s report to NATO. The least that such behaviours could create is the risk of an accident. They also violate the rules of navigation and aviation. I remind you that Turkey has the same behaviour in battle conditions. For example like they did when, violating the Geneva Convention, they shot and killed a Russian pilot who had abandoned his aircraft over Syria.

Do you agree with the estimation claiming that the presence of NATO ships in the Aegean Sea has worked like a ‘magnet’, bringing out Turkish violations?  

I totally disagree. NATO’s presence in the region, particularly the presence of NATO members which are also EU members and have signed the 2008 agreement which recognises the Greek borders as European borders, helps prove Greece’s righteous positions and Turkey’s provocative behaviour.

During your contacts with our foreign partners and allies, what do they say to you when you present to them such evidence?

The allied countries now have a clear picture of Turkey’s aggression. We have videos from allied vessels and reports from allied vessels’ captains to NATO which describe Turkey’s provocations. This affirms the Greek claims for Turkey’s behaviour which did not start today, yet was only reported by Greece so far. Therefore, I believe that the presence of NATO vessels in the Aegean clearly consolidates the Greek reports.

Does Greece agree with the extension of the NATO operation south of Crete, so as to avoid a possible advance of migration flows from Libya and North Africa?

Greece has granted a blanket diplomatic clearance for all its territorial waters. As far as the extension of the operation south of Crete is concerned, I believe that the two prerequisites set by Mr. Kotzias cover the Greek positions: First, the non transport of refugees to Crete and, second, the absolute respect of Greek sovereign rights in the region.

The Armed Forces’ personnel were actively involved and they assured the fulfilment of Greece’s obligations concerning the refugee issue. You have already established MOMA’s participation to projects throughout the Greek territory. Where does the Armed Forces’ role begin and where does it end?

On Wednesday, I was in Ikaria Island, at the first project performed by Didergon, the new MOMA, which connected the islands of Karkinagri and Aghios Kirikos; a project which vivifies the island’s southern part. The projects assumed by the Armed Forces are projects which cannot be assumed by the private sector, they concern small islands and regions which are difficult to access, and, as far as the refugee issue is concerned, the Armed Forces have assumed the construction of five hotspots and relocation centres, responding to the country’s obligations towards international organisations, within a time-schedule which would not be met by other Public Sector services, nor by the private sector. The participation of the Armed Forces in such projects covers urgent needs and is not a standing obligation of the Armed Forces.

Do you believe that we are close to closing the evaluation?

I believe that within the next days, or even hours, the evaluation will close in favour of our country.