The Minister of National Defence Mr. Panos Kammenos accompanied by the Governor of the Region of Attica Ms. Rena Dourou, the MP of the Independent Hellenes party and doctor Mr. Thanasis Papachristopoulos and the Deputy Governor responsible for the Islands Mr. Panagiotis Chatziperos along with a group of specialized medical personnel of the Armed Forces (medical physician, cardiologist, dermatologist, ophthalmologist, orthopaedist) visited Kythera and Antikythera Islands to perform medical examinations for local residents.
They also visited the Holy Monastery of Myrtidia where they met with the Metropolitan of Kythera-Antikythera Seraphim, as well as the Church of St. Myron, Antikythera.
The Minister of National Defence made the following statement:
“Our visit with military doctors and medical personnel of the Armed Forces to Kythera and Antikythera is completed. Following a request of His Eminence the Metropolitan and a letter addressed to the Ministry of National Defence we responded with doctors of specific specializations which are not covered by the hospital of Kythera, as well as with medical specializations which were absolutely necessary to perform examinations on Antikythera, as well as with medical personnel from the Military Hospitals. We came here, we visited Antikythera and all the necessary medical examinations for the residents were performed.
I had the honour to be accompanied by the Governor of the Region of Attica Ms. Rena Dourou, the Deputy Governor of the Region of Attica Mr. Chatziperos and the MP and doctor of the INDEPENDENT HELLENES party Mr. Papachristopoulos.
We are together, because we want to send a clear message: The Armed Forces are always prepared for the time of war and they defend the national sovereignty and the territorial integrity of our country every day.
Our islands, however, and mostly our small islands are an issue of national importance too. When an island is not inhabited, it has no economy, it has no continental shelf. When a small island is abandoned, Greece is abandoned.
So, the Armed Forces, offering a social contribution, with the assets that they possess, they support small islands. We want His Eminence to perform more baptisms and marriages than funerals. Our islands must be full of people. To achieve this, infrastructure is required.
The government altogether, local authorities, elected regional governors, we will cooperate with each other closely to apply what is provided for by our country’s Constitution. Under article 101 of the Constitution it is clear that special care must be taken for the islands in every bill.
Therefore, we began from Kythera and Antikythera today and we will continue all over Greece. The Ministry of National Defence and the General Staffs have already ensured a vessel, which will be sailing all over the area of the islands with specialized doctors and very good equipment, to be able to offer such services.
The government, in cooperation with every state institution, will do anything to ensure safety for the residents and mostly for young people”.
JOURNALIST: Minister, we heard you announcing shortly before that you will restore the posts for military doctors in remote areas of our country.
P.KAMMENOS: No, I stated clearly that we are considering how we can serve needs, especially the needs of islands in the best possible manner. An idea that we are considering is that in remote areas, where there are no rural doctors – we are not trying to substitute the state – but there are available conscript doctors who are experienced enough to be assigned on an island, we will cover this need, as well as we can cover it by sending doctors of various specializations. The Armed Forces cannot substitute the state, to be clear. They will cover some of these needs and this, of course, until the Ministry of Health and the state are able to confront the existent needs.
JOURNALIST:Minister, since you referred to the national role of the Armed Forces in remote islands, such as Kythera, before, could you make any comments about the Turkish NOTAM? It regards another island, on the other side of Greece.
P.KAMMENOS: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs made clear statements and proceeded to the necessary demarches, after the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority that is mainly competent about the issue. The Ministry of National Defence and the Armed Forces of the country ensure the readiness to defend our national sovereignty.
At this moment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs takes the action provided for by the international regulations and international law and the Ministry of National Defence keeps the Armed Forces of the country in absolute readiness. It is clear that in case of breach or violation of the national airspace, any aircraft breaching or violating the airspace, is intercepted. Any ship violating the international regulations is intercepted at sea. The defence doctrine of our country has not changed. Nor have changed the orders, especially the ones regarding such issues. We will not tolerate any violation of our country’s national air or sea space.
Thank you very much.
