Konstantinos Kyranakis, an MP of the ruling New Democracy Party, speaking on television with Christos Spirtzis, an MP with Syriza and Konstantina Giannakopoulou, an MP with PASOK, demonstrated the maturity of the Greek political system in 2020 by facing issues of national security with seriousness and unity.
For those who follow domestic Greek politics will know that this is a rare occurrence, but demonstrates how Turkey has helped unite Greeks in a way that has not been seen in many decades, as well as the new maturity of the Greek political system.
Kyranakis explained that Greece does not have fear and will continue to watch Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's actions closely. "Turkish provocations (towards Greece) are based on a continuous strategy, we are not worried. We are observing, preparing, and if needed will take action," he said, adding "we will keep on without fear, observing what Erdoğan wants to accomplish."
"Whoever tries to question our sovereign rights will receive a response. Prime Minister [Kyriakos] Mitsotakis has made this clear in all possible ways. He stated during his visit to the White House there is no chance that another country is allowed to question our sovereign rights," he continued.
"We are obviously all together in facing serious national issues," Spirtzis of the opposition Syriza party said.
Kyranakis then emphasised that Greece is not afraid of Turkey and international law must always be applied.
"We are neither worried, or afraid of Turkey. International Law must always be applied in every case, our islands have an Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf. That is stated clearly by international law, and we will defend that until the end," he said.
"I want to recognise that Mr. Spirtzis and Mrs. Giannakopoulou, are really responsible and serious, I believe that our political system sends the right message to Turkey," he added.
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Turkish Energy Minister Fatih Dönmez announced earlier this month that a drilling vessel of the Turkish Petroleum Corporation will start oil exploration operations to the immediate south of the Greek island of Crete “within three to four months.”
This prompted a flurry of responses from Athens, with Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas saying “we are not afraid. We are getting prepared for any possibility;” Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos saying “We do not want to go there, but we want to make it clear that we will do whatever it takes to defend our sovereign rights to the fullest extent possible;” and, General Konstantinos Floros saying that “the Greek Armed Forces are ready to fulfil their duty and carry out their mission of the Constitution from Evros to Kastellorizo if and when required,” as reported by Greek City Times.
