JOURNALIST: How concerned are you by the inside situation in Turkey, given that they traditionally export any internal crisis?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: It is true that lately, instability and mobility are observed in Turkey’s interior; on the axis of the deep reforms Erdoğan is attempting to implement and combined with the failure of the “zero problems” policy with neighbouring countries that Mr. Davutoğlu had introduced, but also the outbreak of the Kurdish issue, Turkey’s political and social cohesion are unsettled and paths open leading to unpredicted course. And history has proven that every time Turkey experienced a crisis, certain among the deep state drew up destabilization scenarios of Greek-Turkish relations, with the aim to use them for internal political intentions.
This is why we must be very careful.
Greece, being a peaceful country, traditionally aims at ameliorating its relations with Turkey. However, this under no circumstances leads to recession from our standing national lines. Greece does not threaten, nor is it threatened.
JOURNALIST: Doesn’t this financial crisis affect our national defence and foreign policy? Many are heard and written on the pressure and the demands of the troika for cuts on our defence budget.
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: The fiscal coincidence demands a tidying up of the state’s finances and, naturally, a compression in government spending. Within a year, the Ministry’s of National Defence budget has been reduced by 37%. This reduction does not affect the Armed Forces’ effectiveness.
With the new financial programme and, of course, with no further cuts, our national defence system can operate without problems.
Europe must realise that as far as Greece’s defence issues and Europe’s geopolitical correlations in this sensitive corner of our continent are concerned, Greece has no similarities with Ireland or with Portugal; and one more thing; that our defence policy is a stability and security factor for Europe itself.
The priority for us is to preserve the Armed Forces’ effectiveness, along with the reinforcement of the personnel spirit and, of course, to conserve our weapon systems, by ensuring their maintenance and operability. And, this last one, we can guarantee.
JOURNALIST: Will military service increase, and when?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: I would like to clarify once more that the discussion held these past days concerning the possible increase of military service regards the respective studies and proposals that have been asked by the General Staffs of all three branches, for the safeguard of the Armed Forces’ combat readiness and effectiveness. I can comprehend the anxiety of young people who should not pay for the consequences of the financial crisis, nor go without the possibility of immediate vocational rehabilitation.
No decision has been taken yet on this matter and everything will be studied on time; everything will be measured, evaluated and considered, based on national and social needs.
JOURNALIST: In all polls, Greeks still believe that the Army is the Number 1 institution. Some say that, for economy reasons, parades should be suspended. Do you have any thoughts on such a prospect?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: The Armed Forces indeed hold a prominent position in the Hellenic people’s conscience. They are a factor of stability for our country and the guarantor for its integrity and independence. History wanted that, in spite of the new data which have prevailed in Europe after World War II, Greece had the need of a potent deterrent defence system which has been achieved with big sacrifices made by the Hellenic people.
The cuts of excessive expenditure are necessary; there is no doubt about that. And, as I said earlier, they have been accomplished to a great extent. Military parades have a specific goal; to boost our national spirit, and for this reason they should not be suspended. However, there is something else we can do. In spite of having two great military parades a year, one in Athens and one in Thessaloniki, just one could be organised in Athens, in Thessaloniki and, why not, in other cities, on our National Day, March 25th.
And this should be seen separately from the school parades which, not only have no cost, but also, as we can all remember from the days we were kids, boost our national spirit and pride.
JOURNALIST: You have said that the Greek flag embraces in its folds all Greeks. Nevertheless, many of our fellow countrymen feel alone and despaired. What should the State do?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: It is the Hellenic State’s, as well as the entire political forces’, responsibility to keep our society united, in the spirit of understanding, as well as patriotic and social sensitivity. During these hours, the principles and concepts of our democratic civilization and social solidarity are tested in actual fact. Our social cohesion is symbolized by our supreme national symbol, which is the flag, in the name of which all generations have contributed, with dreams and sacrifices.
JOURNALIST: What could lead a society, with so intense manifestation of introversion and disappointment, to resetting and to the potential of progress?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: The faith to the inexhaustible powers that keep this nation standing, through thousands of years of adventures and struggles. We are a historic people, with a powerful identity and conscience. That is the foundation for our national unity. Everything else, what the past has brought to us and many think that they will divide us, must be put aside. We have to stand by the helpless and the weaker social groups, but also believe to the need for national understanding, which is the prerequisite for national uplift.
National understanding is not a requirement of the troika; it should be our conscious choice. We should start seeing beyond and after the current crisis and create the conditions, in order to head forward, united.
At the same time, we have to make all possible efforts so as to limit to a minimum the possible losses and damages that the crisis causes to society. Our social unity and cohesion are a prerequisite for our common course and prospect of survival.
JOURNALIST: What do you answer to the people’s rage against politicians?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: In Democracy, there is the right to protest. And politicians come and go, according to the opinion that society has formed for them. Society can and should show any possible protest to policies and ideas coming with the politicians. The citizens have a strong weapon in their hands. And that is their vote which is, in a Democracy, the ultimate right for intervention to the function of our political system.
JOURNALIST: What is the expiry date for the government of Papademos? I am asking because I observe lately some activity or some leaks that the elections should be held in September.
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: This government, based on the agreement between the political leaders under the President of the Hellenic Republic, has a specific goal and a definite time limit. From the time it will have completed its basic mission and everything shows that it will be within its time limit, it will hand over to the next elected government. That will be its heritage, but also the beginning of the next day of a new era, characterised by a deeper and more conscious national understanding, for the benefit of our country and our people.
JOURNALIST: Do you believe that the “Nea Demokratia” party will ensure the much desired self–sufficiency at the upcoming elections?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: This is our goal, and it would also be a stabilizing factor for future developments.
JOURNALIST: Does self-sufficiency eliminate cooperation?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: On the contrary. It makes it even more essential and constructive.
JOURNALIST: Is it allowed for MPs of political parties which support the government to vote down articles and bills or to walk out of the Parliament?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: The autonomy of opinion is an MP’s vested right. Thereafter, the parties are also collective organizations and it is reasonable for different views to emerge within them. However, during these critical times, we shouldn’t be led by our personal endurance, but by the collective national effort.
JOURNALIST: You have been registered as the politician supporting synthesis. You were the first to use this term, ten years ago. Do you feel justified now?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: National understanding has always been for me a constant of my political thinking and political culture. I never stroke that flag, because I have always believed and I still believe that in a Democracy, this is where its power will be accentuated. I always said that Democracy is the political art of synthesis. However, this can be proved to be more useful when it is not materialized on the moment of the crisis, but before reaching a crisis.
JOURNALIST: Rumours have been heard that you will be in the State Ballot. Finally, will you be candidate for Athens A’ Electoral District? Is it in your intentions to help some of your co-candidates?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: It is not true. I will be candidate in Athens A’ Electoral District. Where I have been Mayor for two successive incumbencies, but where I also exist as politician.
My presence in politics always goes through the society’s approval, support and trust.
Since 2004, since I am being elected in Athens A’ Electoral District, it is known that I never favoured, nor was I favoured by selective relationships. Consequently, each candidate has his own course and must find the way open for meeting with the citizens.
JOURNALIST: As President of the Committee for the Revision of the Constitution, you have introduced certain proposals. Do you believe that, until they will be materialized, it will be too late for the country?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: The “Nea Demokratia” party and Antonis Samaras work and herald the new regime change which will follow the great and deep crisis we all currently experience, but also the end of the regime change that started in 1974.
However, the prerequisite for our country to find its orientation and pace, and to inspire once again our people and strengthen its institutions and international presence, is a new, powerful state, with modern institutions. That is the goal of the proposal made by the “Nea Demokratia” party for the Review of the Constitution.
We envisage and work for Greece of the day after, a New Greece.
