Vice Admiral HN ( Ret ) Vasilios Martzoukos
Vice President The Hellenic Institute for Strategic Studies ( HEL . I . S . S .)
He entered the Naval Academy in 1971 and was graduated in 1975 . He was retired in 2006 . Indicative assignments : As C . O . at FPBGS and Frigates , as Chief of Staff of the Fleet , as C . O . of the Frigates Command , as Naval Aid to the President of the Hellenic Republic ( 1990 – 1992 ), as director for policy and planning at HNGS , as Naval Attache Germany , as C . O . at Souda Naval Base and as C . O . at the Hellenic Naval Academy . V . Admiral Martzoukos is a graduate from Naval War College ( RI - USA ). He has received a Master ’ s degree in Weapons Engineering at Naval Postgraduate School ( CA – USA ) and a Master ’ s degree in International Relations and Strategic Studies at Panteion University of Athens . Currently Vice Admiral V . Martzoukos is the Vice President of the Hellenic Institute for Strategic Studies . He is associated with the Hellenic National Defence College . He participates in lectures and seminars , he writes articles in magazines and websites , he participates in studies , in collective writers books , as well as in military analyses on TV .
" Building Deterrence in Cyprus "
Eastern Mediterranean constitutes a major strategic point , vital for EU and the Western interests . Russia and China have a growing presence in that area in wich there is a growing instability . One of the main destabilizing factors is the revisionist policy of Turkey in the area , its approach to Eurasia and the continuing occupation of Cyprus since 1974 ( worse case than that of Russia ’ s invasion in Ukraine ). Greece always keeps the moral and legal duty as well as the vital interest to protect Cyprus security . Turkish expansive policy combined with its heavy armament programe and its nuclear aspirations sets an existential threat for Greece and Cyprus . The Russian invasion in Ukraine has increased EU ’ s energy security concern . UN and US and EU should set a multilateral state system in E . Mediterranean committed to UNCLOS , for accelerating hydrocarbons exploitation . EU mast be more active in the area as well as in Cyprus issue . A hypothetical ( even partial ) Turkish control over Cyprus damages western interests and the interests of neighboring countries . Greece and Cyprus should increase their strategic relationship to the West and set political “ red lines ” before any “ dialogue ” or negotiation with Turkey . Similarly the two countries must increase their military deterrence undertaking specific initiatives in military strategy , force planning , modern technology ( emphasis in robotics , unmanned systems , smart weapons , guided missiles and their range and precision , e . tc .) and suitable military means procurement in land , sea , air and space .