“Mr Speaker,

Ladies and gentlemen, members of the Parliament,

I do not intend to bore you or respond to the challenge of Mr Georgiadis, because I believe that we must have morals and personal accusations must have limits. I do not accept lessons on morals from you and I would not like to witness another such incident in here. Nevertheless, I will not be tempted to respond to anything you said. People listen and pass judgment on us.

The Bill that we are currently discussing includes provisions regarding a variety of Armed Forces issues, which are the result of a long staff processing and of constant consultations with the corresponding agencies. The Bill intends to regulate a great number of pending issues and to provide to each one the best possible solution. In any case, the need to retain the financial cost to the lowest possible level has been taken into account, especially during this period. Nevertheless, this legal initiative reflects the firm objective of the Ministry of National Defence to practically and directly contribute to the satisfaction of the members’ operational, familial and personal needs.

Indicatively, I make a reference to the recruitment regulations concerning those currently serving, the draft-evaders and the conscientious objectors, the welfare of families with three or more children, those facing serious family health problems, the members’ legal and judicial protection, the treatment in military hospitals, as well as issues of facilitating everyday life, like the establishment of a new type of identification card, which I trust will make our members’ working status more fair and modern.

It is fully acknowledged that the Ministry of National Defence has focused on its personnel and its needs during the financial crisis. The care that we currently provide now and in the future, must be multi-level and we must truly demonstrate that we stand by their side in anything they need, in an effective and direct manner.

Thank you”.