The Alternate Minister of National Defence Fotis Kouvelis, speaking on the TV show of ANT1 “Summer together at 7” with the journalists Nikos Rogakos and Baya Antonopoulou on 16-08-2018, stated, among others, the following:

— The fact that our two servicemen were released and are home is very positive. I also think that this action by the Turkish justice is a positive and fair action, in the sense that it is a first step for the aggressive rhetoric and the troubled Greek-Turkish relations to take a different path, given the fact that our country wishes to promote cooperation and peace in the broader area, especially in our relations with our neighbour, Turkey.

On the question whether the Hellenic political leadership was taken by surprise by the decision for the release of the two Greek servicemen, the Alternate Minister of National Defence stressed the following:

— My estimate, based on specific data, was that it would take longer for our two servicemen to be released. The fact, though, is that specific and significant actions undertaken during the preceding period by the Hellenic Government, culminating in the actions of the Prime Minister, Mr. Tsipras, led to this outcome. I also think that it was a sign of good will on the part of Turkey. Any pessimistic views and predictions were due to the fact that Erdoğan and Turkey were in an extremely tense situation regarding the degree to which Turkey wished and still wishes to realign its foreign policy and international relations. However, I believe that the Turkish justice’s action is a specific choice made by Erdoğan in respect with the relations he wishes to shape with Greece, as well as Europe.

Commenting on the Minister of National Defence’s statements that the two Greek servicemen were abducted, Fotis Kouvelis pointed out the following:

— I have already said that I did not have such evidence to be able to substantiate this view, that they were in fact abducted. There is no difference of views between Mr Kammenos and myself. Furthermore, what should be stressed is that the conditions under which our two servicemen were arrested and detained for a fairly long period in maximum security prison in Adrianoupoli show that this was a choice made by Erdoğan, undeniably as part of our neighbour’s aggressive rhetoric and practice with regard to our two servicemen.

On the question whether our country is going to redefine its stance in respect with the recent orders by the Hellenic National Defence General Staff to freeze the Confidence Building Measures between Greece and Turkey, the Alternate Minister stated the following:

— The time chosen to suspend these relations was the time that the Hellenic National Defence General Staff deemed it necessary to act like this, obviously with the consent of the political leadership. From this point on, based on the recent developments, I think we can expect things to work out as I mentioned earlier, i.e. that the release of our two servicemen is a positive development for the Greek-Turkish relations.

Commenting on whether the governmental officials’ different attitudes were part of a government plan and agreement, “given the soft-spoken attitude of the Alternate Minister”, Fotis Kouvelis replied:

— I am going to be absolutely honest with you. There was no such agreement. This is not a typical soft-spokenness. I have always been and still am certain that the country’s foreign relations, particularly during a period of tension, must be handled with calmness and patience, as well as by looking for all those elements which can produce an actual result.

On the question if the pressure by Turkey concerning the extradition of the eight Turkish officers is going to continue or even further escalate, Fotis Kouvelis stressed the following:

— It should be pointed out, and I believe that no one doubts it, that our country, while pursuing the release of our two servicemen, implemented a fixed foreign policy, on the basis of policies, democratic principles and values. From the first moment we stated that under no circumstances should the release of our two servicemen be considered a bargaining chip to be used in exchange for the Turkish officers, who were granted asylum by the independent Greek justice.

On the issue of the nine captured Kurds detained in our country accused as “terrorists” by Turkey, the Alternate Minister stated:

— My answer concerning this issue is clear, Greek justice is independent and acts on the basis of national, European, and International Law.