“The government has nothing to hide or fear when it comes to the electricity interconnector. This is clear from the fact that a meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee was held to brief MPs. Then, at the prime minister’s direction, the foreign minister took the initiative to brief political leaders.”
This was said by Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis in an interview with ERTnews today. He added that three things in this case were now clear even to the most sceptical observer: “First, authorisation was sought from only two countries—Greece and Cyprus. Second, after Greece issued its Navtex, Turkey issued a counter-Navtex, because something was clearly bothering it. And third, regardless of what we or the opposition say, the fact is that the vessel has gone ahead and is doing its job, and the cable will become a reality in line with the plans of Greece, Cyprus and the European Union.”
“This government,” he added, “is constantly accused of supposed concessions. But we do not conduct foreign policy for domestic consumption, nor do we put on political theatre. In Evros, we responded on the ground.
In the Aegean, some people remember the Oruc Reis but do not remember our own fleet, which also sailed into the Aegean. We moved forward with maritime spatial planning and with the EEZs with Egypt and Italy. We signed an agreement with France twice, including a mutual assistance clause.
We have upgraded our relations with the US and secured the F-35s, while Turkey is still asking for them. We have strengthened our relations with Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Israel. I wonder: if one compares this with the period before 2019, when in the space of seven years have we seen the country’s foreign policy and defence capabilities strengthened so significantly?”
“It would be good,” Kostis Hatzidakis said, “if there were the broadest possible consensus on foreign policy. I do not believe the opposition is less patriotic, but there are populist temptations that expose it, because there is no political ‘brake’.
He stressed: “Tensions with Turkey are not an end in themselves; we want peaceful coexistence in this neighbourhood. But not at any cost, and always with our national interests, sovereignty and rights in mind.”
In response to questions, the deputy prime minister said:
-On the €500 public-sector allowance: It will be paid in 2027, exactly as the prime minister announced at the Thessaloniki International Fair. “The priority, not only in Greece but across Europe, is the energy crisis. So far, the government has provided €1.5 billion in support, more than many other European countries. It is reasonable for every occupational group to put forward its demands, but as a government we have the overall picture and have pursued a responsible policy ever since we were in opposition. Those who want to hear more pleasant things can turn to the opposition parties, which promise the earth. They have learned nothing from either 2019 or 2023, when, as a sign of maturity, voters turned to the party that made the fewest promises in order to get everything done: New Democracy.”
-On possible post-election coalitions: “In theory, we could work with PASOK, with which we formed a coalition government in the past. But PASOK has closed the door. And the other opposition parties are marked by toxicity and hostility that have no place in a European country. That is an additional reason why we are talking about an outright majority. We therefore need to work seriously until the final day, clear outstanding issues, press ahead with the reforms we have committed to and present our programme, which will be genuine and innovative. Then, with the people’s support, we will move forward.”
-On the prime minister’s plans: “At first, people asked what he would do if we got less than 25%. He has said clearly that in that case he would have no reason to stay. Of course, all the polls make it clear that our share will be much higher, and we will campaign with humility and seriousness for an outright majority. Now the question is what he will do if he wins. It is far too early to discuss all this; we need to plan on the basis of actual facts, not scenarios. But even the discussion about the prime minister moving to the European Union shows that our opponents recognise Mr Mitsotakis’s stature, both in Greece and internationally.”
-On the failure to reach agreement on appointments to the independent authorities: “We proposed as chair of the Data Protection Authority the professor whom PASOK itself recently put forward for the post of Ombudsman. He had applied for both positions. Yet there was another refusal. I have the impression that this is linked to the fact that a faction within PASOK wants no co-operation with New Democracy, and also to its fear of what the other opposition parties will say. They can do as they see fit. Given these circumstances, we are turning to the public and saying: look at New Democracy’s team, its leader, the work it has carried out and our programme. Then compare it with the other side. Because at the end of the day, the choice will be Mitsotakis or Androulakis, Tsipras, Velopoulos, Koutsoumbas or Konstantopoulou.”