Vassilis Kikilias defends Coast Guard against political criticism

Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, has strongly rejected claims made by Kyriakos Velopoulos, president of the Greek Solution party, regarding the conduct of the Hellenic Coast Guard.

During a parliamentary debate on a bill to enhance port organization operations, Velopoulos suggested that Coast Guard vessels hide in ports when Turkish fishing boats approach Greek islands. Kikilias responded by demanding a retraction, stating that such remarks insult the men and women of the Coast Guard who operate under difficult conditions to protect maritime borders and save lives.

The Minister accused Velopoulos of making these statements to gain votes and defended the professionalism of the service, noting that personnel often work in hazardous weather and have rescued thousands of people. Kikilias also addressed Turkish fishing activity, noting that while some movements involve the right of innocent passage, violations are documented with audiovisual evidence and referred to prosecutors.