The Minister of National Defence Mr. Panos Panagiotopoulos visited the Elefsis Shipyards at noon, responding to an invitation by the workers, who warmly welcomed him.
The Minister of National Defence was accompanied by the Secretary General of the Government Mr. Takis Baltakos and the Special Secretary of the Ministry of National defence Mr. Antonis Oikonomou, who essentially contributed to the re-operation of the Shipyards.
The Minister of National Defence Mr. Panos Panagiotopoulos expressed in his speech to the workers his joy and honour to be at the working place that represents one of the last parts of our heavy industry.
It is the Prime Minister’s decision – as Mr. Panagiotopoulos underlined – and we have all joined the struggle to save this piece of heavy industry of our productive infrastructure, the Hellenic Shipyards, nor only because they are useful to Greek economy, but also because they are useful to National defence.
Mr. Panagiotopoulos expressed his certainty that with the hard work, competence and patriotism of the workers in the Shipyards, the message will be communicated; that Greece has got the infrastructure and furthermore those who know how to operate the Shipyards, the workers but also the right businessmen, and he underlined:
“Greece becomes competitive, it opens up to the markets and also informs others that, since our Shipyards can construct war ships, they can also construct ships for the merchant fleet, as well as war ships for other countries”.
On his side, Mr. Baltakos pointed out that within a very short period the heaviest industry in Greece, the Shipyards of Elefsis, was re-vitalised and this is something that fills us with joy.
The workers’ delegate, Chairman of the Workers Union, Thanassis Danoussis expressed his thanks to the Minister and the two Secretaries and offered them as the smallest token of gratitude –as he said– honorary plaques, underlining that they were the ones to ensure the prerequisites for a heavy industry, such as the Shipyards, to become the steam engine for the productive reform of this country.
Mr. Panagiotopoulos, during his visit to the Shipyards, ascertained the progress of the construction of missile torpedo boats for the Hellenic Navy, and especially the Mtb “RITSOS” that is expected to be launched in the following months.
Standing on the bridge of the Mtb under construction, Mr. Panagiotopoulos stated:
“We are here, on the Mtb “RITSOS”, with the Leadership of the Hellenic Navy and with the Government’s Secretary General, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff”.
It is the Mtb we expect to see in the sea in a few months, integrating into the Hellenic Navy’s capability.
I would like to thank and congratulate the Hellenic Navy, their traditional leaderships, as well as all the Staff officers and the crew here, for the great effort they have made and for the brainpower and experience they have put to the planning of these missile torpedo boats that are customized to the strategic facts and goals, especially in the Aegean Sea.
The effort that is being made is very important. I would like to shake the hands and congratulate the personnel of the Hellenic Navy, for they participate and conduct this effort.
Moreover, I would like to reiterate my congratulations to the workers of the Elefsis Shipyards who also make their best so that we can quickly have, starting with “RITSOS”, the rest of the vessels, to include to the Hellenic Navy’s capability.
They have a lot to offer. We should all be sure of that”.
The Minister of National Defence was also accompanied by the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff General Michail Kostarakos, the Chief of the Hellenic Fleet Vice Admiral Panayiotis Litsas, the Deputy Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff Vice Admiral Alexandros Theodossiou, the Deputy Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff Rear Admiral Panayiotis Pastouseas and the Commander of the Paymaster Command Rear Admiral Dimopoulos Ilias.
