“The Trilateral has demonstrated that cooperation among Greece, Israel, and Cyprus has real strategic depth,” said Tasos Hadjivassiliou, Member of Parliament for Serres and Secretary for International Relations and EU Affairs of New Democracy, speaking to SKAI on Christmas Eve. He emphasized that this cooperation is not temporary or circumstantial, but is grounded in shared strategic principles.

He noted that trilateral cooperation has expanded beyond the energy sector and now encompasses critical areas such as defense and security in the Eastern Mediterranean. However, he stressed that these multilateral frameworks are not directed against third countries and are not anti-Turkish in nature. Rather, they are cooperative arrangements among countries with mutual understanding and are open to others, provided they respect good neighborly relations and international law.

“Greece is therefore a force for responsibility and rightly participates in these multilateral cooperation schemes aimed at enhancing regional security in the Eastern Mediterranean,” he said.

Turning to Turkey’s recent posture, Mr. Hadjivassiliou pointed to an increase in provocative rhetoric, which he attributed to Ankara’s strategic discomfort. He noted that Turkey has excluded itself from European defense funding mechanisms by maintaining its casus belli, while at the same time witnessing Greece significantly strengthen its defense capabilities—through participation in the F-35 program, the acquisition of Rafale fighter jets, and the delivery of the new frigate Kimon.

Regarding Greek-American relations, he emphasized that ties between Greece and the United States are at their strongest point, built on solid foundations and stable strategic cooperation at both the political and geopolitical levels.

On domestic issues, Mr. Hadjivassiliou said that after nearly seven years in power, the New Democracy government has demonstrated its ability to manage crises and emerge stronger. He noted that, according to opinion polls, it remains the dominant political force, with no credible alternative governing proposal in sight. As he stressed, the government continues its reform agenda with a focus on citizens’ concerns rather than petty partisan disputes.

Finally, addressing farmers’ mobilizations—particularly in his constituency of Serres—he said he understands their demands and concerns, but stressed that dialogue with the government is the only effective way to ease tensions. He noted that many of their demands have already been addressed or are in the process of being resolved, and he called on farmers to allow the free movement of citizens during the holiday season. “Protest is useful,” he concluded, “but dialogue is more useful.”