Defence Redefined

Published on 09/10/2020 at 13:55

The Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis speaks warmly about the strong and practical support of Greece by the French President Emmanuel Macron in an interview published today in the French newspaper “Le Figaro”.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank President Emmanuel Macron for his continued and strong support, both in words and in deeds. As you know, Greece and France are traditional allies, strategic partners, and I personally consider the President of the French Republic one of the driving forces behind European solidarity and the renewal of our ‘Union’,” he points out.

He described the prospect of launching exploratory contacts with Turkey as an “encouraging step in the right direction,” stressing that the issue to be discussed would be exactly what the conclusions of the last Summit (October 1-2) state, namely the delimitation of the continental shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zone.

In an interview with journalist Alexia Kefalas, Mr. Mitsotakis recalled that the European Council unequivocally condemned the violation of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus and clarified that “Turkey’s decision to open a part of the enclosed area of Famagusta (Varosia), in the occupied part of Cyprus, is an unacceptable challenge. It weakens efforts to de-escalate tensions.”

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In this context, Mr. Mitsotakis notes that Greece and the EU want to improve relations with Turkey, which, however, presupposes compliance with the rules. It refers to the conclusions of the last European Council, which invokes the articles of the European Treaties on Sanctions, as well as to the clear statement that any further unilateral and aggressive action by Turkey will have consequences for Europe. “There are two paths ahead of us: that of dialogue and diplomacy, of dialogue based on respect for international law, without unilateral action and within the framework of respect for the rules of good neighborliness. The second way is escalation and tension, which will inevitably lead to European action against Turkey. Greece has already proved in practice that it believes in the first way,” the Prime Minister emphasizes.

Asked about the historic decision of the Justice for the Golden Dawn, the Prime Minister states: “It is a real victory for the Republic. The verdict closes a dark episode in the country’s public life. As Prime Minister, I always refrain from commenting on court decisions. As a Greek citizen, however, I am glad, like the rest of my fellow citizens, that this party was characterized (by the court) as a criminal organization.”

Below is the full interview of the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in the French newspaper Le Figaro.

Question: At the last EU Summit, you welcomed the decision of the Member States to warn Turkey of new challenges. Otherwise, sanctions will be imposed at a forthcoming European Summit. Do you think that Turkey, which continues to claim a share of the region’s underwater hydrocarbon deposits, will heed this warning?

Answer: What is certain is that the European Union has sent a clear message of unity, solidarity and determination to defend its own interests and that of its Member States. The Council also reiterated its full solidarity with Greece and Cyprus, unequivocally condemning the violation of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus. Besides, Turkey’s decision to open a part of the enclosed area of ​​Famagusta (Varosia), in the occupied part of Cyprus, is an unacceptable challenge. It weakens efforts to de-escalate tension.

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Greece, like the EU, wants to improve relations with Turkey, but the rules are there to be respected. During the last EU Summit, critical issues were raised on the relationship with Turkey, such as the customs union and the management of migration flows. And it became clear that if Turkey continued to act unilaterally and aggressively, it would face consequences. The conclusions of the European Council make clear reference to relevant articles of the European Treaties, in particular Article 29 of the Treaty on European Union and Article 215 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, both of which deal with sanctions.

In fact, I would like to take this opportunity to thank President Emmanuel Macron for his continued and strong support, both in words and in deeds. As you know, Greece and France are traditional allies, strategic partners, and I personally consider the President of the French Republic one of the driving forces behind European solidarity and the renewal of our Union.

Question: Did the negotiations between Greece and Turkey start to settle their differences? What is the agenda?

Answer: We expect exploratory contacts to begin soon. Things are clear: In the context of the German mediation we have agreed that the discussions will resume where they left off in March 2016. Let me clarify that the subject of these discussions, as in previous rounds, remains unchanged: It is the delimitation of the maritime zones. It is the only difference we have with Turkey. In other words, we are talking about the delimitation of the continental shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zone. That alone. In the meantime, parallel meetings can take place at the level of Foreign Ministers and – why not – between me and the President of Turkey, which is not planned at the moment but I do not rule out any possibility. I repeat that we could only consider these options if Turkey stops the challenges.

Question: Turkey claims that Greece has a maximalist perception of the region and complains about the lack of maritime space. What do you answer?

Answer: Our only compass is International Law. There are two paths ahead of us: that of dialogue and diplomacy, of dialogue based on respect for international law, without unilateral action and in the context of respect for the rules of good neighborliness. The second way is escalation and tension, which will inevitably lead to European action against Turkey. Greece has already proved in practice that it believes in the first way. The launch of exploratory contacts between the two countries is an encouraging step in the right direction. It is better to give diplomacy a chance in order to find a commonly accepted solution. If, in the end, we still cannot agree, then we should turn to the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Question: You have announced a strategy-defence agreement between Greece and France. When will it be signed? What does it predict?

Answer: It predicts that our armed forces will immediately acquire a squadron of 18 Rafale fighter jets to replace the old Mirage fighters. The contract will be signed in the coming months. Six of the aircraft will be new, 12 will be slightly used by the French Air Force. Our estimate is that – and I believe that this is entirely possible – that the first aircraft will land in Greece in mid-2021 and the rest will arrive at the beginning of 2022 at the latest.

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This decision will strengthen our deterrent capability, in combination with the modernized F-16 fighters and the rest of the Greek wings. Our Navy is also in the process of adding four new multi-role frigates to its fleet, along with upgrading of four existing MEKO frigates. Overall, after a difficult decade of economic crisis, the arsenal of all three branches of our armed forces is being significantly strengthened.

Greece remains a pillar of peace and stability throughout the region, but is determined to defend its sovereignty.

Question: In the immigration, it is pointed out by various NGOs that accuse the Greek port authorities of returning boats. At the same time, after the fire in the Moria camp, there is an impression that immigration remains an explosive issue. How do you plan to act?

Answer: The Greek Coast Guard has denied from the beginning these allegations, which come from Turkish sources. Such allegations are an insult to our Coast Guard, which has literally rescued tens of thousands of refugees and migrants at sea. Our islands have always offered shelter to those who needed it most. We are doing an extremely difficult job of protecting borders, receiving refugees and migrants and examining their asylum applications, but European work is needed on this issue. It is necessary.

The terrible fire in the Moria camp on Lesvos highlighted the enormous challenge posed by mass migration, especially on the southern borders of Europe. Greece cannot manage this issue alone. The proposals for the New Immigration and Asylum Pact are a good basis, even if significant improvements are needed with more solidarity. I think it is clear to everyone that Europe cannot fail again. It is necessary to have common rules for asylum, for all, through a fair burden-sharing process. Each country takes part of the responsibility.

Question: Do you have any comment on the condemnation of the Greek Justice against the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party, after five and a half years of trial, and its characterization as a criminal organization?

Answer: Yes. It is a real victory for the Republic. The verdict closes a dark chapter in the country’s public life. As Prime Minister, I always refrain from commenting on court decisions, but as a Greek citizen, I am glad, like the rest of my fellow citizens, that this party was characterized (by the court) as a criminal organization.

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