The Alternate Minister of National Defence Fotis Kouvelis, in an interview he gave to the Realnews newspaper (18/03/2018) and the journalist Vasilis Skouris, mentioned the following:
Arrest of two members of the army at Evros, heated incident at Imia, engagements at the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone. What is your assessment of Turkey’s pursuits in the Aegean and the wider region Minister?
The tensions caused by Turkey in its relations with Greece has, in my opinion, mainly to do with the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone. It integrates the case of the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone to a wider context of claims for a new determination of the correlations in the wider region. We should also take into account the fact that the general planning of Turkey for dealing with the overall problems, leads to the option of causing tensions in its relations with us.
What is your answer to Ankara which insists that there are islands in the Aegean that belong to it or that there are grey zones, including Imia?
Our country, from a position of stability and political calmness, does not pursue the escalation of the tension, resolute and capable to defend its rights. Turkey exposes itself and weakens its foreign policy with the tensions it causes. There are no grey zones. Our sovereign rights are clear and determined by the international treaties and international law.
What must be done for the two Greek military men who have been arrested? Does Athens ask for their immediate release? Are we satisfied if the accusations for espionage are non-existent or is there something more needed?
This particular event is just a trans-boundary incident. There are certain data and the facts and conditions of the incident are known, so it could have been resolved with a simple arrangement, as in the past. We tried to make such an arrangement from the first moments of the incident. However, Turkey integrated this incident to the tensions of its relations with our country and referred the matter to the Turkish tribunal. Now it is stalling, allegedly because of judiciary procedures and prolongs the detention of our two members of the military. Our country, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, proceeds to all the necessary actions, to many different directions, in order for our two military men to return soon to the homeland. We are obviously not pleased with the overall development of the case and keep conducting the necessary actions.
Are you satisfied with NATO’s view that the issue of the two members of our Army must be resolved between Greece and Turkey? Shouldn’t NATO also exercise pressure to Ankara?
NATO stated and encouraged Greece and Turkey to resolve the issue on their own, but that statement weighs mainly on Turkey and not Greece. I believe that Turkey comprehends the weight of that statement too, regarding its relations with NATO. Furthermore, I would like to remind you once more: Greece wanted to resolve the issue through an arrangement with Turkey from the first moments of the incident.
Several voices – among which there are those of retired military individuals – ask for an increase of the military service. Minister, are you currently considering such a request?
We are not considering the increase of the military service. Our Armed Forces are capable and structured with deterring adequacy.
Do you believe that Turkey wants to cause a heated incident at the Aegean and furthermore a conflict between the two countries?
My assessment is that Turkey is not trying to cause a heated incident and furthermore a conflict with Greece. However, an occasional incident which might be caused in the arising tension, as for example in the air interceptions, is capable of escalating the situation.
Do you positively view the proposal of Stavros Theodorakis for the establishment of a National Security Council? Should a Council of Leaders convene for the foreign policy and mainly for facing the Turkish danger?
The proposal of Stavros Theodorakis as it was set forth during the meeting with the Prime Minister for the establishment of a National Security Council leads to a positive direction and as such it is considered. An arrangement and unity between the political forces of the democratic arc in the exercise of foreign policy is necessary and obligatory. Unfortunately however, the major opposition and the rest of the political opposition in general, with few exceptions, subjects what is necessary and obligatory under a fruitless antagonism and attacks the Government even about important matters of foreign policy and national interests.
Will you support a solution about the matter with Skopje? Would the resolution of this issue be positive even if it caused a governmental crisis with the departure of the Independent Greeks party from the Government?
The resolution of the “Macedonian Naming Dispute” is beneficial to Greece, if there are preconditions set in place concerning irredentism, guarantees for boundaries with a composite name, with a use erga omnes. Our country can decisively contribute to the stability of the region and be promoted as a factor of this stability. It is a region with problematic relations between the various populations that constitute it. An international treaty with recorded commitments about irredentism in its various aspects, dispute of borders and the issue of the name, prevails over the existing or future Constitution. Of course, the constitutional reform of FYROM and its compatibility with the terms of the international treaty will constitute its obligation towards international law. We should include in our assessments that if a solution is not reached then the expansionist options of Turkey will be enhanced, since it demonstrates its “interest” for the Turkish and Muslim populations of the region, in order to develop its own arc of influence. We should also take into account the emerging trend for the establishment of the “Greater Albania” promoted by the political forces of the region. This is my personal view and it is not based on the view of the Independent Greeks party. The assumption that the Independent Greeks party will depart from the Government in case there is a desired agreement between Greece and FYROM, can constitute an interesting subject of study or assessment.
Tell me Minister, do you believe that the cooperation between the parties of SYRIZA and Independent Greeks is one of strategic importance or by exiting the memorandum period, we return to the dividing lines of Left and Right and consequently the strategic ally of SYRIZA is the Centre-Left?
Two political poles are being established in the country: one is deeply neoliberal and conservative and the other progressive. The political forces of the said Centre – meaning either the Centre or the Centre-Left, or as Social-democratic forces – doing justice to their self-determination, must try to converge to the Left and essentially end the chapter of their joint course with the neoliberal policy. The progressive forces, if they wish to truly be progressive, cannot stand as neutral observers of the conflict between the progressive and conservative policy and remain inactive with regards to their alliances. The social and political reality dictates the wide social and political progressive cooperation and joint courses. The normalisation of the relations of the Centre-Left and the Left does not oppose the effort of its self-determination. Its opposition to the neoliberal policy, the detrimental tactics and the doomsaying opposition of the New Democracy party could strategically shape the data and preconditions for the establishment of a progressive pole. The opposition of the progressive and conservative forces is still present, with the needs and inequalities of society still existing, being exacerbated by the financial and social conditions with particular tension.
Can your different approaches in relation to Panos Kammenos concerning national issues make you “two strangers” in the same ministry? I am asking this because your statement that you will be reporting straight to the Prime Minister carries a certain message.
We are cooperating with Mr. Kammenos in order to bring a positive result for the governmental work. We are working for the benefit of our country in the sector of our responsibility, independently of the different views we have on the “Macedonian Naming Dispute”. It is true that every alternate minister institutionally reports straight to the Prime Minister.
According to the general consensus, you are an antimilitarist and mild-spirited person. Do you think that you are suitable for the Ministry of National Defence where usually “hawks” are assigned? I mention this because in a time of escalation and tensions, you may be called to make “hard and difficult decisions”…
I thank you for your kind words concerning my antimilitarism and mild-spiritedness. I think you will agree that the above are the best qualities that someone must possess in order to make correct, calm and necessary decisions and take action.
Are you worried that the tensions at the Greco – Turkish borders may lead to a rising of the Far – Right in our country?
The Far – Right wishes to exploit the tensions in the Greco – Turkish relations. It wants to exploit pure patriotism and integrate it to its pursuits, disfiguring it. However, I have the certainty that the majority of the Greek people rejects that disfigurement and trusts the responsible management of the Government with regards to the national issues.
