‘We recently observe in the newspapers and the internet, an escalated rhetoric regarding Turkey’s stance or the tension in the wider region. But what matters is the statistics and the drawn conclusions, which in some cases may be even superficial. A typical example is the issue regarding the number of the National Air Space violations, which appears t o be extremely high, due to maneuvers performed by pilots, during mock air combats.

We, the political and military leadership of the Ministry of National Defence, adjust the developments in their real dimension, in order to avoid impressions that intensify fear, restlessness and panic. No other interpretation is needed. Since July and until today we have proceeded with temperance and severity in implementing our own strategy, which depends, on one hand, on multi-level initiatives regarding reinforcing the country’s alliances and, on the other hand, on the planning and implementation of the Armed Forces upgrade, to enhance their deterrent power.

The Armed Forces are always ready for duty, executing their mission with consistency, effectiveness, sense of responsibility and professionalism. At the present juncture, composure must prevail and every situation must be dealt with calmness, without misleading the people to reach wrong conclusions. We do not rest, we do not stay inactive, we are not carefree, we always do what we must do, in the name of national independence and the Greek people’.