“Turkey cannot obtain defensive material, which will use it against countries that are either members of the European Union or NATO,” said Tasos Hatzivasiliou, MP Serres and Secretary of International Relations, Tasos Hatzivasiliou, speaking to SKAI.
Mr. Hatzivasiliou referred extensively to Greece -Egypt’s strategic relations on the occasion of yesterday’s telephone communication of Messrs. Mitsotakis and Sisi, stressing that it is a “deep strategic and partnership”, which is reinforced both by the personal chemistry of the leaders and the regular contacts of the two governments. As he noted, “with Egypt we are talking regularly and we will continue to do, since we are in the same neighborhood and have many issues of common interest.”
The ND MP noted: “There is a legitimate boundary agreement between Greece and Egypt for EEZ which interferes with the illegal Turkolibyan memorandum.” This agreement, he said, “is in force, is not at all legal, acceptable by the international community, compatible with international law” and “which it supports 100% and Egypt as a Contracting Party”.
Regarding the developments in Libya and the management of migratory flows, Mr. Hadjivasiliou noted that Greece “cannot fail to discuss with the Egyptians all that is happening in the Eastern Mediterranean”. He made special mention in the maritime parks, which he described as “the most important decision on environmental protection Greece has taken in recent decades”.
Concerning the international developments and the role of Turkey in the defense industry, Mr Hadjivasiliou pointed out that Greece is obliged to set conditions. “From the first moment we are asking for and will ask our partners that Turkey cannot acquire defense material, which will use it against countries that are either members of the European Union or NATO.”
Making an account of the last five years, he recalled the Mitsotakis government’s initiatives in the field of defense. “What did we have in 2019? A Turkey that had begun to be supposed to upgrade the F-16s and had an order with at least 100 F-35s. What did the Greek government do? It shielded the armed forces in an exemplary way. We have arrived today to have rafale. We have arrived today with the upgrading of the F-16s and have entered the F-35 program. “
Commenting on Turkish reports about Ankara’s response to Athens planning with the strengthening of its own Air Force, she said: “If we accept that what Turkish newspapers say, that Turkey, with this option, responds to the planning of Athens, it justifies its choice.” And he added: “We are not heterogeneous. Air Force’s excellent operational capacity is not disturbed. We have full confidence in our equipment and especially in our human resources. Greek operators are one of the best in the world. “
“The legal status of the Aegean is defined by international treaties and this does not change. There are no gray or other zones in the Aegean, “he said. As he typically said, “Turkey, if it wants to do marine parks, is a welcome decision, it can do it in the Black Sea, on the coast of Anatolia and wherever it is right.”