The Alternate Minister of National Defence, Panos Rigas, in an interview he gave on Saturday, 29 June 2019, on “ETHNOS” Newspaper and to the journalist, Voula Kechagia, stated amongst others the following:
1. Mr. Rigas, Erdogan is still a cause for serious concern. Do you believe that he will attempt to start drilling in the Greek EEZ?
As regards the management of the affairs in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean, the Turkish President has selected the strategy of challenges and delinquency, which is incorporated into a wider framework of a strategic review of Turkey’s position in the international arena. Erdogan operates under terms and rules that do not comply with the modern idea of international relations. He attempts to enforce what he considers to be a “national interest” for Turkey, violating the rules of the International Law and trying to exploit to the maximum, on the basis of a raiding logic, Turkey’s geostrategic position and its economic relations with the European countries. He also attempts to use the problems in the European Union and its member states as his own tools, such as the energy safety and the refugee issue, in order to force benefits. However, all he does in this way is to risk placing his country outside the operations of the international safety and stability system. As for our country, I would say that the “internationalization” of the Turkish provocativeness facilitates the way we handle things, because our partners now realize the extent of the problem. At the same time, we do not rest. We are safeguarding our sovereignty rights, by turning our political and diplomatic assets to advantage, under the shadow of our Armed Forces’ deterrent force. Given the foregoing, I believe that any attempt on behalf of Turkey to create any fait accompli in the Greek continental shelf – EEZ would be adventurism and a major step backwards.
2. Is Greece ready to react in such potential scenario?
Greece is ready to defend effectively its sovereignty rights against any threat. Greek people are peaceful and our Armed Forces are strongly deterrent. But no more; apart from that, we are in a position to, we have the mental attitude and the means to raise obstacles and avoid any major threat. This issue is both beyond doubt and beyond debate.
3. Some people anticipate that SYRIZA – Progressive Alliance will lose the national elections. Honestly, is it possible that the game changes?
It is not so wise to take the outcome of elections for granted. The functioning of parliamentary democracy is neither unambiguous nor linear. Obviously, while we are heading towards the ballot box of the national elections, all options are open and we are fighting and believe in victory, as well as in the confirmation of options and the strategic role of SYRIZA – Progressive Alliance. The elections on July 7th are not the end of a long road for the left wing and the progressive world in our country, but rather a chance for a re-start. For us, for the left wing, the issue at stake was not the participation in power sharing, but power sharing to the advantage of many. That is the core of the evaluation of our governmental work, but also the core of our programme commitment.
4. Mr. Mitsotakis says that given that New Democracy is the leading party, but not self-reliant, we will be led to the ballot boxes in August…
Ms. Mitsotakis attempts to blackmail people and to threaten them … with new elections based on proportional representation. This is about an electoral tactic that aims at mobilizing New Democracy’s voters. At the same time, this also proves a feeling of insecurity, despite their over-optimistic statements resulting from the outcome of the European elections. New Democracy’s communication staffs are very well aware of the fact that the ballot box next Sunday will start to be stuffed once again and therefore, nothing should be taken for granted.
5. Do you believe that the Movement for Change (KINAL) would not enter into a coalition government with New Democracy?
The Movement for Change (KINAL) and PASOK have lost their innocence long ago. Let us remember the Papadimos government and the Samaras – Venizelos government. The manner in which KINAL and its leadership deals with things shows that their objective is to participate in power sharing and to survive politically. If the outcome of the elections favors such a version, I believe that there is no problem for the New Democracy – KINAL coalition; besides the requirement for programme convergence exists, since the leadership of former PASOK has got to the heart of neoliberalism.
6. Tell me about the advantages of SYRIZA’s programme compared to New Democracy’s programme…
The main difference between SYRIZA’s programme and New Democracy’s programme corresponds to the difference between on one hand neoliberalism, where there is the thought that economy itself will solve everything and hoping for the best until then, and on the other hand our view – the left and progressive view – that focuses on people and their needs. That is exactly the advantage of SYRIZA. For us, people are the essential element of society and economy should serve people and not the other way round. It is no coincidence that New Democracy says that it will provide “benefits” to the people, after providing benefits and privileges to all those that it considers to be the pillars of economy; the large business groups.
