The accusation of the government’s alleged “concessiveness” and “submissiveness” toward Turkey—which constantly resurfaces in public discourse—raises questions.
For example, where exactly has there been or is there “concession”? Where has there been or is there any concession? When did the Mitsotakis government cross the “red lines”? In what instance did it allow a provocative action by the opposing side to go unanswered? And above all, when exactly and in what way did it leave the country defenseless?
Since 2020, with the response to the hybrid threat in Evros and the operation to exploit illegal migrants to the immediate response with defensive support for Cyprus and Bulgaria –upon their request– and from the EEZ with Italy and Egypt to the maritime spatial planning maps, there was a plan with a beginning, middle, and end.
With defense procurement programs that transformed Greece into a factor of stability and security in the wider region and that essentially implemented the doctrine of deterrence, strengthening the Armed Forces. With the Rafale and F-16 Viper, with the agreement for the F-35, and with the first Bellhara frigate. With the “Achilles Shield,” with the production of Greek drones, with new defense procurement programs, and always through strategic alliances with countries such as the U.S., France, and Israel, as well as through energy agreements.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, by positioning the country on the right side of history, has succeeded in transforming it from a pariah into a role model, playing a central role in current developments. And this amid major geopolitical upheavals and developments centered on the broader Eastern Mediterranean region.
To date, there has been no instance of the Greek side failing to respond to provocations, especially in cases where these are intended to create a fait accompli. The successful countering of Turkey’s attempt to trademark “Turkaegean,” interventions at the UN do not happen automatically; even the reaction to the illegal Turkish-Libyan agreement has “clipped the wings” of its instigators.
The bottom line is that in recent years, following the Evros incident and the strong reaction, the Greek side has made multifaceted use of this time to fortify itself defensively and diplomatically. Without concessions and without yielding. Above all, without backing down on the red lines regarding sovereign rights.
And if anything has contributed to all this, it is stability and growth. The security that stems from a strong economy that is gaining investment grade status and making the country attractive to investors.
