Greece is strengthening its borders and its security services, addressing new challenges posed by wars, organized crime, and international networks.
In an international environment of heightened geopolitical fluidity, where armed conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are reshaping the security balances in the wider region, the statement by the Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis serves to highlight Greece’s strategic position as a frontline country in countering multifaceted threats. Speaking at the Athens Defense Conference, the minister described a complex landscape of risks ranging from cross-border arms trafficking and organized crime to post-war power realignments, emphasizing the need for constant operational readiness, enhanced border surveillance, and close international cooperation.
Greece, despite being “on the front lines”, is today a completely safe country, assured the Minister of Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis during the Athens Defense Conference organized by the Delphi Economic Forum, in collaboration with the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP).
The country is a pillar of stability
As the minister noted, the country is a pillar of stability in a particularly volatile geopolitical region, however, international developments require constant vigilance and preparedness in the face of new forms of threats.
“Greece is on the front lines,” he said, “as there are many open fronts: the war in Ukraine to the north and the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. We are the natural and political boundary of the West. We monitor the borders with physical forces and all technical means, so that entries from the perimeter of the fire into the interior are carried out in accordance with the rules.”
At the same time, he emphasized that “we are one of the safest countries in Europe and we control all movements and flows, both by land and sea,” also noting that “the fence on the Evros River is a defense project.”
The concern
Michalis Chrysochoidis expressed his concern about a series of risks arising from armed conflicts, noting that the most important issue is what follows after the wars end.
“Wherever wars come to an end, the next phase is the trafficking of weapons,” he noted, warning that it is certain that thousands of weapons will be moved in different directions, fueling new hotbeds of crime and instability. For this reason, he said, Europe must prepare in a timely manner and address these new challenges through coordinated action and close cooperation among member states.
He also made special mention of organized crime, which, as he noted, now operates on an international level, trafficking not only weapons but also people and drugs. He emphasized that Greece, with one of Europe’s largest ports, is at the forefront of this effort, as the trafficking of cocaine and other illicit cargo requires a coordinated response plan and constant operational readiness.
He also emphasized that the Hellenic Police is working closely with international authorities, such as the DEA, Europol, as well as with the relevant agencies of the Gulf states, in order to combat international criminal networks and strengthen the exchange of information.
In closing his remarks, Mr. Chrysochoidis emphasized that current developments require constant vigilance and a high level of readiness. “The constant enemy of security is the lack of sustained vigilance and the lack of constant alertness. This must be paramount in a country’s security strategy,” he stressed. Finally, the Minister noted that prevention and timely preparation are essential prerequisites for protecting the country and its citizens.
