Today, 15/5, I participated in a group discussion at the DELPHI ECONOMIC FORUM, together with the Chief of the Hellenic National Defense Staff, Admiral K. Floros, the Honorary Chief of the Hellenic National Defense Staff and former Minister, Admiral E. Apostolakis, and the representative of Lockheed Martin, N. Plessas, on the topic:
THE ROLE OF THE AU AS A FACTOR OF STABILITY AND SECURITY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
Below is my full submission during the discussion:
In recent years, Turkey has been placed on a trajectory of revisionism and grandiose nationalism with the ultimate goal of its definitive emergence as a dominant regional power.
To this end, Turkey has harnessed and is making extensive use of all the capabilities it has:
the famous three m –
mosques (mosques – Islam).
The quintessence of this maximalist policy is the narrative of the "Blue Homeland", that is, the description of the return of the Turks:
Firstly, in the claim to control the sea lanes of communication in the Mediterranean,
Secondly, in the distribution of energy wealth on exclusively Turkish terms regardless of international treaties and conventions and
Thirdly, in actions for the dynamic lifting of the (in their opinion) Greek strategic maritime and aerial strangulation in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean with the Greek occupation and military presence on the islands of the Eastern Aegean.
In order to address this Turkish narrative, in my opinion, a new Greek national narrative is required that contrasts with all of the above and also prepares Greece for the second quarter of the 21st century.
The Doctrine in force in the country and implemented is Deterrent - Defensive, with three strategic pillars on which the response to any threat is based. These are the so-called three (3) Ds from the initials of the corresponding English words:
• Deterrence
• Defence
• Dialogue
Deterrence by definition is the sum of our military and diplomatic capabilities together with the required decisive political will, and all this combined with strategic communication to communicate our deterrence capabilities to those concerned. It is ensured based on four points:
Initially, in National Unity,
Then, to the active presence in International Organizations, relying on International Law and existing Treaties.
Subsequently, in the formation of alliances and the intensification of diplomatic relations with neighboring or other countries whose interests are in line with ours,
And finally, to Armed Forces with strong military deterrence capabilities.
By projecting these characteristics of Deterrence, we try to avoid our adversaries underestimating and underestimating us and, as a result, proceeding without much second thought, to actions against us that will lead to uncontrolled crises. The price they will pay for such behavior should be clear to all real or potential adversaries. This form of dynamic Deterrence, when successful and sustained, is what will ensure stability and security.
If this deterrence fails, we resort to Defense, while a necessary permanent component of any strategy and in all phases, is always Dialogue.
Greece, if it wants to have security and stability in the SE Mediterranean against a Turkey that recognizes only strength as a criterion for ranking in the global arena, will have to significantly strengthen its military capabilities, without of course abandoning either diplomatic actions towards neighbors and allies or efforts in the EU, NATO and the UN. However, the country will have to strengthen its deterrent capacity quickly and effectively over a long period of time and accept the economic burden that these entail, with the burden of:
• Its aeronautical capabilities.
• Increasing the agility, mobility and flexibility of the most flexible parts of the Armed Forces, which in Greece we call "Special Forces" and
• Improving the effective defense capability of the islands.
All institutionalized forecasts of the organization of the Armed Forces must be revised immediately based on the fact that the operational work, as well as the area of interest of Greece, has essentially doubled compared to the previous period. We need more and more capable warships, more and more capable combat aircraft and higher staffing rates of land units. If the recent New Force Structure does not strengthen the Armed Forces both qualitatively and quantitatively, but simply upgrades qualitatively and "polishes" capabilities that were decided decades ago, then we should soon have a newer New Force Structure.
Greece is primarily a naval country that is required to be a regional naval power, with a strong fleet within the framework of a more general aeronautical superiority, with the ability to conduct "open sea" operations (blue water navy), which will dominate the Aegean, the Ionian and the Eastern and Central Mediterranean, protecting sovereignty and sovereign rights, defined or potential.
All of the above should be integrated into a new narrative that will highlight Greece as an effective provider and guarantor of security in the SE Mediterranean and the Balkans, a guarantor of the freedom of transport routes and the security of Europe's eastern borders, and finally a valuable ally in the bilateral or multilateral relations, associations or alliances in which it participates.
In conclusion, this narrative should be clearly emphasized so that it can be understood by friends and enemies alike, that the most important guarantee for ensuring security and stability in the SE Mediterranean, as well as in the Aegean and the Central Mediterranean, is the strong Greek military deterrence capability.
'For a proud and strong Greece'
General Michael Demetriou Kostarakos
Honorary Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff
Former Chairman of the EU Military Committee
'We deserve a stronger Europe'
General (ret) Mikhail Kostarakos
Former Chief HNDGS
Former Chairman EUMC
