“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,” said the Minister of Shipping and the Minister of Shipping and Shipping. Vassilis Kikilias, In an interview with ERT and journalists Dimitris Kotaridis and Nina Kasimatis, referring to geopolitical crisis in Middle East and in the escalating tension in the straits of the hormoz.
The Minister noted that the Business Coast of the Coast Guard – Greek Coast Guard has already issued repeated instructions on ships with a 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 HormoneHe described it as “the worst possible scenario”, stressing that if this happens, it would lead to a further escalation of an already “worrying and dangerous situation, which is not controlled”. “Those who believe that a war conflict over a regime that threatens the existence of another state – as Iran threatens Israel – may have a predictable range, they are wrong. Remind me that some people thought that the Russian-Ukrainian War It 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 for businesses, at the time when the ISIS dominated the area. “
Regarding the tourist flows from Israel, he expressed the estimation that they would continue: “Once Ben Gourion Airport has reopened – something that I believe will happen soon – we will continue to have flows of Israeli tourists to Greece. They love our country, visit it, trust it. He is a trained people who have lived through such situations. “