The Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos intervened during today’s discussion of the Law Draft ‘I invest in Greece and other provisions’ debated at the Parliament’s plenary session, presenting an amendment, through which issues are settled, concerning the Hellenic Navy’s current programs’ management and the reform regarding the War Museum administration.

The Minister’s address is as follows:

‘I came to support an amendment of the Ministry of National Defence, introduced in this Bill, and I estimate that it should be voted for; this amendment, among other things, is pro-labor and has other positive characteristics as well, because it covers the wages cost of the total number of workers in the two Shipyards of the country executing programs of the Hellenic Navy, namely the shipyards of Skaramangas and Elefsina, even of the workers who are not employed in the execution of the specific program in each Shipyard.

Therefore, it assures some labor and it practically provides more time to the Shipyards to keep on operating, while at the same time the procedure of finding an investor is under way and we hope that he will be found and he will finally assure that the two big Shipyards of the country will keep on operating.

This amendment consists of three provisions, which I estimate must be voted for-and the amendment as a whole-for three reasons.

The first reason is urgency, since it practically settles a situation which must immediately be settled, since the Hellenic Navy’s programs in the two Shipyards expired on the 31st of September. During that time we communicated with the competent Ministries, but the legislative procedure, all these procedural delays, brought us here today, to finally put an end to the workers’ distress and to the uncertainty regarding the program’s extension.

The second reason is that a developmental tendency exists in the three partial provisions, hence there is a relative reference with the present Bill. Regarding the two Shipyards, it refers to the extension of the Hellenic Navy program, in Skaramangas, with regard to the continuation of works in four submarines, and in Elefsina, with regard to the completion of the program concerning the construction of two Missile Torpedo Boats, number 6 and 7. The first will be delivered soon enough-it is undergoing the final trials-and the second will be delivered to the Hellenic Navy throughout 2020.

The third reason is that at least for these two provisions concerning the programs in the Shipyards, there is an immediate positive impact in the Armed Forces and especially in the Hellenic Navy. The Hellenic Navy’s operational capability increases instantly upon the completion of these programs.

This extension entails appropriation of credits as well, execution of works regarding all these vessels, mostly with regard to engines, weapon systems, periscopes, antennas and electronic systems. These works are necessary for the completion of these vessels and their delivery to the Hellenic Navy, which is the final stage.

In addition, more time is gained, so that the Shipyards keep on operating, the workers be employed, and in the mean time, the possibilities of finding investors regarding the Shipyards be examined.

Regarding the third provision, this concerns the change in composition of the War Museum’s Administrative Council, so that its extroversion is reinforced and consequently it will be rendered more attractive to visitors. The number of visitors in the War Museum should be increased, since the Museum mainly projects the Military History of our country. It should be more inviting to the majority of people to visit. The three year term remains. The President, the two Vice Presidents and the four Counselors remain, but an opportunity arises, through this amendment, that not only active or retired officers (which was the case until now), but also distinguished scientists be chosen in the War Museum’s Administrative Council.

This way, the War Museum’s Administration will attract Specialised Scientists as well, who can develop even further its operation and activities , making it a pole of attraction – of visit, for anyone-and there are many who wish to get to know about the comprehensive and undoubtedly glorious Military History of our country. These are the three partial provisions. They are presented in one amendment in the sake of saving time and money and I estimate that they must be approved by the Plenary Session.

Thank you’.