The Alternate Minister of National Defence, Panagiotis Rigas, in an interview he gave on Tuesday, 26 March 2019, on 984 Athina Radio Station and to the journalist, Aris Tolios, stated amongst others the following:

Regarding the harassment of the helicopter carrying the Prime Minister:

The neighbouring country and ally needs to pay greater attention to what it does and how it works. The Prime Minister’s answer yesterday was very clear. Vigorously defending the International Law, we cleared up the matter. Apart from that, whatever else Turkey claims lies outside space and time. Out neighbours should stop acting in this way; sometimes they exceed the limits both at rhetoric level and at practical level, like yesterday. We will continue with our decisive and cool attitude; an attitude that sends a message of peace, a message of friendship and at the same time, defends the International Law and our sovereign rights.

Regarding the understanding with the opposition:

What the opposition does is very bad. It uses and incorporates national issues in its petty political approach and in the confrontation that it seeks. We will not get into such trouble. What matters for us is the defence of the International Law. As soon as Turkey decides to abide by the International Law, to not call into question and provoke and to not attempt through its power to exceed the rules set out, then there would be a prospect of discussing many other issues, but at the same time affirming that there can be a rationale of understanding through the Confidence Building Measures as well.

Regarding the forthcoming elections:

For us, the battle of European Elections is deeply political. Two worlds are in conflict: the world of employment, social rights and democracy against the spectrum of extreme right and neoliberal ideas that are encountered in Europe and that stick their heads up above Greece with the greatest responsibility resting with the New Democracy party. These two worlds will come into conflict in the European Elections. I believe that we will win the European Elections. The poll predicts are wrong, as it has been shown in previous similar cases. The Hellenic society will appreciate our great effort to bring the country out of the economic crisis and being able to look to the future in a different way; all this was achieved with the Greek people’s effort. Greek people will not allow the coming back of those who are responsible for this situation.

Regarding the draft law of the Ministry of National Defence:

We conform on many issues to the International Law and European Conventions and at the same time, we are trying to resolve a series of issues that give young people a hard time for years. In particular, the military service is shortened for large families with more than 5 children; all male members and not just the eldest shall serve for six months. For families with three children, the service of all male members is shortened to nine or eight months. Issues related to conscientious objectors are being resolved; alternative service is set to twelve months, as in the case of other conscripts. Moreover, it deals with the issue of draft evaders.