Greek PM Mitsotakis responds to Erdogan: Whoever violates the borders is punished

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis sent clear messages to Turkey during the naming ceremony of the Hellenic Navy’s “Ensign Vlahakos” missile boat.

Just a few hours after the meeting of the Security Council of Turkey, where the demilitarization of Greek islands was discussed again, along with renewed threats from Recep Tayyip Erdogan against Greece, the prime minister chose to respond to the incendiary rhetoric of Greece’s bellicose neighbor.

“Whoever violates the borders is eventually punished, imperial visions do not fit in the 21st century, would-be local bullies have no place,” the Greek Prime Minister stated emphatically, without naming Turkey.

Mr. Mitsotakis added that the problems are solved peacefully according to international law, noting that that was what the people demand.

He also noted that it is wrong for some to poison the public opinion of their country by discovering enemies where there are none, as he also did in his speech at the UN General Assembly, where he extended a hand of friendship to the people of Turkey.

According to the prime minister, the Armed Forces are on high alert and are showing steadfast resolve. “We give resounding answers to the words of some.”

As he said, “our waters will remain impregnable”, “our borders are blue and not grey” and “history teaches that whoever violates the borders is punished”.

Read also: Greek-Turkish relations: Is Erdogan setting the stage for an “incident”? – What should Athens expect?

Def. Min. Panagiotopoulos: “Absolute confidence of the political leadership in the military”

For his part, the Minister of National Defense, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, during his presentation stated:

“This is an important day for the Navy. This state-of-the-art attack unit is a power multiplier and a valuable addition. It completes a program of fundamental importance to the Armed Forces.

It demonstrates our determination to strengthen the Hellenic Navy with cutting-edge technologies. Special mention must go to the staff who carry out their mission. The political leadership surrounds the military leadership – all of the military leadership – with absolute confidence. Leadership has proven itself in the face of adversity – especially these days everyone needs to embrace that leadership.

For three years now, there has been a cosmogony as concerns the upgrading of the Navy – a lot of work has been done and even harder work is ahead. Action provokes criticism, many times more so than inaction.”