ATHENS – The quiet and effective work of Christos Stylianides at Greece’s Ministry for the Climate Crisis and Civil Protection was the passport for his electoral journey as a candidate – in a top slot at that – on the national At-Large list of the New Democracy party. He appears in one of three positions assigned to expatriates (in his case, as a Cypriot) provided for by the new electoral law. He spoke to The National Herald ahead of Sunday’s election battle and spoke to expatriates and about the difficult ministry he heads.

The National Herald: Did you foresee such a path when you started your political career?

Christos Stylianides: Let me say from the outset that I never approached politics as a career or a profession. I think my involvement in politics confirms that. My relationship with politics is experiential. I lived through the dramatic political events in Cyprus as a child of the ‘green line’ [which marks off Turkey’s illegal occupation zone] – from the inter-communal fighting and internal conflicts to the Turkish invasion. And, of course, the great effort to rebuild Cyprus, to become a European state [which I experienced] in the 80s as a student. And later, as a battling politician, I was involved in politics with the vision and the great goal of Cyprus’s accession to the EU – and of course the solution of the Cyprus problem: a united European Cyprus.

For me, public office was never an end in itself. It was the vehicle, the possibility, the opportunity, to serve my principles. To serve the European project. To promote the strategic objectives that I believe serve the interests of all Hellenism.

When Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis did me the honor and asked me to help him in his difficult reform work to rebuild Greece and its image, I could not – I did not even have the right – to refuse. And now came the invitation – the invitation to be on the At-Large Electoral List of New Democracy, representing the Greeks of the Diaspora. Again, I could not refuse, because I consider it a historical necessity for Kyriakos Mitsotakis to continue to be at the helm of all Hellenism. In order to advance and accelerate the great effort to continue the reform work that began four years ago. To continue the upgrading and strengthening of all Hellenism on the European and global stage. For this Greece that we are building, I want to continue working with Kyriakos Mitsotakis. In the service of all Hellenism.

TNH: What has been the biggest challenge at the Ministry for the Climate Crisis and Civil Protection?

CS: By its nature and scope, the Ministry is full of challenges. Especially in the time of climate crisis where our neighborhood, the Eastern Mediterranean, is a hot spot. Some friends jokingly say that I am a minefield addict.

The initiative of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to create this new ministry was an innovation that was received at international and European level with very positive comments. It demonstrated a pioneering approach: a direct link between the climate crisis and [the mission of] civil protection.

The task of effectively setting up a new agency with modern structures to respond to perhaps the greatest challenge of the 21st century, the climate crisis, and with the cultivation of a new holistic culture of effectiveness, is not a simple task. Especially when simultaneously running the day-to-day management of multiple crises. But with hard work, a clear vision and, most importantly, the continued support of the Prime Minister, we are on the right track.

I summarize four of the most important priorities:

We have laid the foundations to ‘bridge’ the gap between the traditional approach to disaster risk management – that is, the fire suppression actions that have long been the responsibility of the Fire Service – and the triptych of ‘Prevention, Preparedness/Readiness, and Resilience,’ which grounds the doctrine that guides our actions as a whole.

We proceeded with the overall upgrade of the Civil Protection Mechanism of Greece, utilizing the updated ‘AEGIS’ program and   emphasizing coordination, cooperation, and consultation between all the policy stakeholders. [There is also the] upgrading of the training of the Ministry’s staff and promoting the awareness of citizens for active participation in our work.

We laid the foundations and created the framework for the National Platform/Database for Disaster Risk Reduction to be operational, which will be the tool needed to build scientific documentation systems and models for natural disaster management, in combination with other innovative technological tools. Through the National Database, operational decisions will be based on scientific analysis and documentation.

We have highlighted Greece as a European regional coordination and expertise pillar for the response to natural disaster risks, especially fires, in the Mediterranean basin, acting as a hub of the European Civil Protection Mechanism and rescEU.

TNH: Would you like to continue in the same ministry in case of an election victory for New Democracy?

CS: I repeat that office is not an end in itself. I will assist with all my powers if and as requested.

I will continue to support the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Out of respect for the [democratic process], of course, let us wait for the election result and then there will be time for discussion. The President of the Parliament, my friend Kostis Tasoulas, has described me as a ‘body donor’. Another friend has told me that up to now I am here ‘serving a sentence’.

TNH: You represent expatriates on the At-Large electoral list of New Democracy. What is your view of the law regarding the votes of expatriates, on voting rights?

CS: It is a great honor and responsibility to participate in the New Democracy At-Large Electoral List, representing the Greeks of the Hellenic Diaspora. Hellenes abroad are not second class citizens. This is indicated by the initiative taken by Kyriakos Mitsotakis to institutionalise the vote of expatriate Greeks. An initiative which highlights the importance of the expatriate community and the willingness of the Mitsotakis government to address methodically and substantially the issues that concern Hellenes abroad.

It is undeniable that the law on expatriate voting is an important reform of a symbolic and substantial nature, which comes in response to a long-standing demand of expatriate Greeks. Despite the obstacles and difficulties, we have taken a first big step.

Of course, there is room for improvement in the legislative framework in order to enable the participation in the electoral processes of the largest possible number of expatriates. That is something that will also stimulate their more active participation in the political life of the country. To this end I will work with my colleagues to promote a secure and reliable system of electronic voting as exists in all modern states and we will also consider the adoption of voting by mail.

TNH: How do you respond to Alexis Tsipras referring to you as “naturalized”?

CS: I would not like to comment on the substance of that statement. I think it is an unhistorical statement, out of place. I leave it to the judgment of all Greeks whether they live in Greece or abroad.

TNH: How do you imagine Greece four years from now, after the completion of a new new for the government, in case of an ND victory?

CS: I don’t believe in big words or cheap promises. If there is one thing that characterizes me, it is realism and rationality.

But there is no doubt that Greece under the leadership of Kyriakos Mitsotakis has changed for the better. It has established its western and European character. It has regained its self-confidence. And it has restored its damaged image. Through substantial reforms, such as the digitalization of the state, the daily life of the Greek citizen has become easier.

But the road to reform and modernization is still long and difficult – that is why Greece needs solid and credible leadership. It needs Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The international and European experience that I have gained over the years leads me effortlessly to the following conclusion: Kyriakos Mitsotakis has established himself as a credible European and international personality who is an added value for Greece and for Hellenism as a whole. It would be a mistake to underestimate this statement and its importance for the Greek economy, for investment, for the influence of Greece and Hellenism in European and international institutions. The Greek Prime Minister’s historic speech to the U.S. Congress, which made us all proud, is tangible proof of the political weight and credibility of Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The stakes of these elections are therefore simple: Will we continue on this reform path in a methodical, rational, and credible manner or will we slide back into the past of unreliability, irrationality, and regression?

I am optimistic that Greek citizens, including Greeks in the Diaspora, will renew the mandate of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, to move forward dynamically and steadily.