The Alternate Minister of National Defence Dimitris Vitsas, accompanied by the HAGS Chief Lt General Alkiviadis Stefanis, today Friday 24 February 2017, attended the celebrations for the 104th Anniversary of the liberation of Konitsa.

The Alternate Minister during his address stressed the following:  

“I feel extremely honoured to be representing the Ministry of National Defence, at this historic place which has been honoured by the heroism of its inhabitants, the heroism of Greek men and women, whose blood has soaked this earth in the name of freedom.

It is not my intention to go down memory lane, but allow me to remind you of the everlasting values of self-denial and sacrifice in the name of freedom. I must stress that the liberation of Konitsa does not only have a historical character but it also a reminder.

Firstly, it is a reminder of the fact that a few people who have faith and are magnanimous can defeat the masses trying to enslave them. A man’s passion to live free and his love for a dignified life ignites this courage of the soul.

Secondly, this effort is a point of reference for the results which can be achieved – it is also a reminder for us the younger generations who abide in this country- through coordinated efforts, through a unity which has its objectives.  

We all know that on a day like today – 104 years ago, Captain Papanikolaou , who we are honouring today by unveiling his bust , came to Konitsa as a liberator and was received by the people overwhelmed with emotions.

We all know that during these 104 years our country has been through a lot, many difficulties and problems,  however, we moved on.  We have treated the wounds of national division of the past, we the Greek men and women. We have treated the wounds of the Nazi occupation. We have treated the wounds of the civil war. We have proved that patriotism for us means to love your country, without hatred or shady thoughts for the countries of other peoples’ , with love and respect for human life, beyond any racial discriminations.

You, the people of Konitsa are the living proof of solidarity and hospitality towards the people who have escaped from the atrocities and the chaos of war. We ourselves have realised through the difficulties and struggles of real life that a democrat is a person who sticks for his ideas and views, fully respecting the right of each person to exercise them.

So, we unconditionally love our country, without any claims, and hatred for other peoples’ countries. That’s because we want to live in an environment of democracy and free expression. Our priority is human life, dignity, respect and solidarity.

For all the afore-mentioned, we decisively defend our national sovereignty and independence and we are conveying this message to those who need to hear it.

We want to live in peace and solidarity, we are and will always be ready.

The Greek conscience, neither erases nor forgets. It keeps alive the heritage and traditions bequeathed from our ancestors, not in the form of ancestoritis  but as living proof guiding our new identity, our new way of thinking coming from the past, leading to the future , like one of the most glorious but also bloodshed pieces of history.  

Our presence here denotes our promise to fight for the optimum good which is liberty, human solidarity, respect and love for the country”.

 
Addressing the mayor of Konitsa and answering his related question, the Alternate Minister said that there is a positive proposal by HAGS concerning the establishment of a military museum  in Konitsa, while on the border guarding issue and the enhancement of a security climate among the inhabitants of the area, he reassured that these issues will be addressed to the extent possible.

Then, the Alternate Minister proceeded with the unveiling of the bust of Captain (INF) Papanikolaou Dimitrios.
 
Following the conclusion of the ceremony, the Alternate Minister visited the Refugee Hospitality Centre of Konitsa and was briefed on its mission.

ALTERNATE MINISTER DIMITRIS VITSAS ANSWERING QUESTIONS POSED BY JOURNALISTS STATED THE FOLLOWING :

On the Turkish provocativeness:

Our effort is to always be operationally ready. In this sense the General Staffs with the execution of exercises, the training and education provided to the personnel and the fact that they are evolving and trying all scenarios, are not concerned, but at the same time they are preparing for all scenarios.
 
We totally understand that the current tension is somehow fabricated. It has to do with the home affairs of the allied and friendly country and the problems it faces at its eastern borders.  This, however, does not mean that we can relax. We are always on the go. Our calmness and continence is expressed and will be expressed by our determination. Of course, simultaneously, we are operating at a diplomatic level. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is doing everything in its capacity to be ready as well.  

On the issue of the political developments in Greece and Europe and the potential of approach to social-democracy:

At European level it is very important for us to lean towards the left, towards social-democracy. This practically means that social democracy and neo-liberalism, will no longer go hand in hand, as they did. If this happens in Greece, it mostly concerns the social-democrat institutions, not us.

The main issue for Greece is the following:

With which financial policies, with what specific actions we will put ourselves out of the way of the monitoring and memoranda, and in this sense we will evade the crisis and simultaneously we will consolidate in a better manner democracy, keeping our European orientation and traditions. Towards this direction the issue does not concern the political structure but the social base. This is an issue to be solved by society itself.

On the negotiations with the institutions :

We have been clear in the past, we will not tolerate another Euro of more austerity.  Having a different fiscal recipe which will help us get out of the crisis is something we are currently negotiating.   What we are sure of is that we will not tolerate any more austerity. This practically means that for any limiting measures we should have  respective off-setting relief ones.  This means that during the negotiations the base for us is those most afflicted by the crisis. To cut a long story short, the poorer face great difficulties, they are the ones to be aided and in case you haven’ t noticed this government is working at this level.

On the Epirus Metal-mines:

The Epirus Metal-Mines SA, is operating on a clearance status based on the agreement with the former government. Things are going very well, recently  things are going better than expected, meaning that they are making profit. Simultaneously we are trying to have the same number of contracts as we did last year. We are interested in keeping it alive, to consolidate the working posts. The clearance status does not mean, not a single minute, that it is closing down.