The Alternate Minister of National Defence Panos Rigas in an interview he gave to the New York expatriates’ newspaper Greek  News (15/04/2019) and to the journalist Giannis Fasoulas, mentioned the following:

– Mr Rigas, the Turkish provocations in the Aegean (the latest serious incident was the harassment of the helicopter transporting the Prime Minister to Agathonisi…) and the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone continue… How will we respond in case the Turks cross the red line in the Aegean or the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone?

These tactics are known to us. However we do not become complacent. The Turkish provocations, regarding rhetoric and particular practices, go through various fluctuations. We are not indifferent and in any case we take the necessary measures. It is a fact that with our stance and the deterrent force of our Armed Forces there is no accomplished fact against our sovereign rights, nor will we allow something like that to happen. At the same time we send a clear message that the tactics of provocations lead nowhere and furthermore they isolate Turkey instead of promoting any of its unsubstantiated claims which are contrary to history. I believe that the Turkish leadership has received a clear message of decisiveness and deterrent force from our side, understanding that no crossing of any “red line” will be tolerated.

– Are you concerned about the effort made by Turkey to export the crisis, due to the political decline of Erdogan, in combination with the great domestic problems he faces?

The situation in Turkey was always complex and often inconsistent. Through this inconsistency, opportunities may arise for the normalisation of our bilateral relations. However, there is also the danger of escalation. We are monitoring the developments and respond to any challenge with the assets required without falling into traps, while at the same time we shape the conditions in our region for the prevalence of the rules of International Law. A precondition for smooth developments is stability in the neighbouring country and understanding, on behalf of its leadership, that revisionism will not be tolerated and that only in the context of respect of the principles of peaceful coexistence between our countries and good neighbouring relations can we have positive developments which will benefit all. 

– The Hellenic Armed Forces have experienced the ordeal of the financial crisis, while the neighbouring country began an armaments race (S-400, new generation of fighter aircrafts, new warships). Is the Greek side planning a large new purchase of modern aircrafts and other weapon systems for the modernisation of the three services?

Greece went through a great ordeal which reflected on defence expenditure, which decreased per 50% in relation to pre-crisis numbers. Nevertheless, the Hellenic Armed Forces adjusted their needs to the new limited conditions and by reorganising their structure and at the same time giving emphasis to the utilisation of existing assets and to the maximisation of their operational readiness, they have achieved high quality and especially high morale for the personnel. It is indicative that during these trying years nobody dared to even think about harming our sovereign rights.

 – Let us discuss the European Parliament Elections. The New Democracy party poses as the undisputed victor and its members claim that it will win by a landslide. What is your aim for these elections and what are your thoughts on surveys?

New Democracy can be optimistic because of surveys, however we place our confidence in the ballot-box. Surveys are indeed a tool for analysis, as long as they are reliable. However, they cannot approximate the result of the ballot-box when one in five survey participants declares that he/she has not yet decided what to vote. Whenever we participate in elections our goal is to win. That is always our aim.

– Are you satisfied with the response for the establishment of the Progressive Front to counter fascism and neo-liberalism?

Your question touches upon the core of the problem which is the relation between neo-liberalism and the resurgence of fascism. Western societies have recently experienced the equation of democracy with financial freedom. This resulted in the prevalence of economy and the depreciation of democracy, through the depreciation of representative institutions. The indifference of citizens towards the affairs of society is based on the estimation that all aspects of life concern economy, everything is defined by the financial elites which dictate the applied policies. This has left the field free for the deniers of democracy who poison the conscience of the people. Our political response to this situation is the Progressive Alliance. This is not a circumstantial partnership aiming to elections, but a long-term option. It is a comprehensive answer to the needs of today with perspective and rooted in the past, when the Coalition of the Left and Progress made its first steps, bringing closer the communist left, the renewing left and the radical social-democracy. We are satisfied because we are moving forward on the basis of what is dictated by the times and the needs of the many.

– The Movement for Change, a party of the centre-left, not only rejected the invitation to follow a common course, but also desires the “strategic defeat of SYRIZA”. What is the cause of the two parties following separate paths?

The Movement for Change has cut ties with the current political processes, the modern pursuits of the European social-democracy and adheres to the acceptance of neo-liberalism. It has accurately and consistently been turning into the tail of the conservative side. This is verified by its aim for SYRIZA’s “strategic defeat”, meaning the strategic victory of the New Democracy party so that it will follow it on the course to the assumption of governance. We cannot coexist with the Movement for Change when it keeps following the conservative side. We have reached this conclusion with regards to the Prespes Agreement and we make the same conclusion daily due to its statements and party policy, which seem like they are being issued by the offices of Piraeus Street.

– Regarding the findings of surveys, what does the government need to do in order to turn the tide?

I repeat that the findings of surveys are unreliable and lacking. When the people stand in front of the ballot-box, especially during national elections, they will have to face certain dilemmas and the answer to these dilemmas is the resounding reelection of SYRIZA.