The Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos replied to the comments made by the spokesperson of the main opposition Mr. Dimitris Tzanakopoulos on the management of the refugee issue, clarifying that the Armed Forces guarantee the security of our external borders, whilst the Security Corps guarantee the country’s internal security.

Mr. Panagiotopoulos asked that his statements should not be misinterpreted, highlighting that: “Our assessment is that, as it is currently developing, the situation is a potential threat to the country’s security, not that the Army is the one to deal with it”. He reminded the main opposition, in order to prevent any misunderstanding, that it was Syriza’s governmental partner Mr. Kammenos who had stated in April 2015: “the Army guarantees the country’s Internal Security”.

The Minister of National Defence also underlined that Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ Government does not wish to “escape”, let alone avoid, responsibility; on the contrary, it will significantly contribute to problem tackling, through hard work and effectiveness.