“You have all attended the ceremony to pay your tribute to hero Kostas Iliakis, on behalf of Karpathos local society and the military, political and religious authorities. It is important to note that while Greece was honouring a hero, a young officer who left his family behind, falling on the field of honour, Turkey showed its real self. It violated our national air space, not respecting the one thing that even the most barbaric armies respect, the memory of a hero, a fighter who fell on the field, defending the country’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

I would like to address the following message to all friends and foes, to the Allies and also to all those who stood against Greece from time to time, that Greece respects the international rules, the international law and ethics as well. Greece would never offend  the memory of a fighter, no matter whether he is a friend or foe,  the very moment his homeland is honouring him”.