Asked about the possible closure of the Ormuz Straits, he described it as “the worst possible scenario”
“Our first concern is the safety of our seafarers, seagoing shipping, our Greek flag ships, and Greek -owned ships – which make up 20% of the world fleet – so a large number of our ships are also in the area,” the Minister of Shipping and the Minister said, ” Vassilis Kikilias In an interview with ERT, referring to the geopolitical crisis at Middle East and in the escalating tension in the straits of the hormoz.
The Minister noted that the Coast Guard Business Bank He has already issued repeated instructions for ships with Greek flag or Greek -owned fleets approaching the area and there is continuous updating of data every six and twelve hours.
Asked about the possible closure of the Straits of the Ormuz, he described it as ‘The worst possible scenario’stressing that if this happens it will lead to a further escalation of an already “worrying and dangerous situation, which is not controlled”.
“Those who believe that a war conflict against a regime that threatens the existence of another state – such as Iran threatens Israel – may have a predictable range, they are wrong. Let me remind you that some believed that the Russian-Ukrainian war would end in a few days. It didn’t happen. Now we have a new ignition with Gaza and increasing tension throughout the Middle East, even between India and Pakistan. The situation is very serious, “he said.
As he said, the goal of everyone should be diplomacy and decline, but “at the moment I see just the opposite, you see attacks that continue.”
About yesterday’s meeting of KYSEAin which he participated, said that there was full information “by the Materials, the AGEMA and the Foreign Minister” on the situation in Israel, Iran and the straits of the Ormuz. As he pointed out, “it is obvious that the levels of alarm and alertness are rising” and that “all European countries think in advance how they will be organized for potential goals on the European continent”.
“Power and interest define the world chessboard. It is difficult to divert a situation or end a conflict. With great care, seriousness and professionalism we bend over the problem and try to find solutions, even if we are not at the forefront, “he said.
Concerning the economic impacts, he emphasized that the crisis directly affects “production, primary economy, industry, tourism, shipping and daily life of citizens, even in gasoline”. As he said, the rise in oil price in one day is indicative.
Asked about the possible shielding of tourist targets, the minister replied that “we are not there yet”, but emphasized the importance of prevention: “An organized state is planning, at a high level of alert. We proved it in civil protection, in pandemic, border. In 2014, as Minister of Citizen Protection, we worked with the state of Israel on business at the time when ISIS dominated the region. “
With regard to Israeli tourist flowshe expressed that they would continue: “As soon as Ben Gourion Airport has reopened – something I think will happen soon – we will continue to have Israeli tourist flows to Greece. They love our country, visit it, trust it. He is a trained people who have lived through such situations. “