The Alternate Minister of National Defence Dimitris Vitsas in an interview for “CHANNEL 1” Piraeus Municipal Radio Station to journalists Nikos Bardounias and Petros Kasimatis stated among other things:

Regarding the ratification of the contract on Piraeus port:

Great importance has been given to a number of things which existed in the contract whereas the opposition constantly tends to disdain the country.

I should mention that a part of the ratifying law is the contract itself and everything is defined in the contract. The legal office of Cosco asked for some parts of it to be included in the law. And this was done. End of story.

Beyond that, the contract must be applied and this is to the benefit of a whole network; that is to the benefit of Piraeus port, to the benefit of our economy, but also with the support of the employee’s rights.

The fact that we took the premises of the fertilizers industry and archaeological sites on Salamis island is important. Regarding the assignment of the fertilizer industry’s property, the mayor of Keratsini as well as other municipalities working to this direction must consider in what manner this site will be transformed to the benefit of interests and residents.

Regarding the utilization of unexploited property of the Ministry of National Defence:

We expect a bill of the Ministry of National Defence to be introduced to the Parliament which provides for a procedure of property assets assignment to Municipalities or even private individuals for the property of the Ministry of National Defence to be utilized. We ask for two things to contribute to this effort: a master plan for every respective area and, secondly, to draft in common a study of sustainability which we must follow because many times properties which had been assigned for various reasons or even due to financial insufficiency turned into inactive places or in dump zones.

Regarding Prime Minister’s visit to China:

There is a strong interest of investors in the country, especially from China and other countries as well. They see Greece as an intersection in the framework of productive restructuring. Specific intentions have been declared by China. Very important agreements will be signed. Prime Minister is accompanied by businessmen or managers of state enterprises exactly in order to discuss the potential of cooperation in certain fields; the Chairman of the Hellenic Aerospace Industry and the CEO of the Hellenic Defence Systems who will discuss certain perspectives of cooperation because what we need at this moment is an industrial participation in the industrial growth.

Regarding the contract on the Port of Piraeus at this particular time:

If we discussed about the port of Piraeus and the Piraeus Port Authority in 1980 this discussion would be totally different, as it would be totally different in 2000 and in 2008. But in 2016 when the country is still under supervision, when there is an agreement which we, SYRIZA party, as well as the Greek people via their vote judged as necessary along with other things, the discussion is different too. So, at this moment, we have agreed that certain privatisations defined in the memorandum of cooperation-understanding, will be conducted. This creates some specific obligations for us, regardless of everybody’s political opinion. There is also confusion about the term public between us and the opposition. What we mean by the term public and how this is structured – Vernardakis bill expresses our view – is different from what the previously established political parties mean; that is, public for them is connected to clientelism. Public for us is connected, among other things, to development. At this moment I believe that this agreement which must be followed and judged, can give a necessary impetus to Piraeus, on the condition that proper investments are made and employee’s rights are ensured.

About corruption issues:

It is true that there is a conflict between this government’s policy and the previous system of corruption which must be audited for both financial and taxing procedures. We stated it from the very beginning that we will hit this corrupted system and we will not give up. The whole rumour about this government being a short-lasting government of the left made some of the auditing authorities reluctant. Now, however, they see what is really happening. Nevertheless, Justice should be permitted to do its job and, of course, everybody has the right to be legally defended.