The Alternate Minister of National Defence Dimitris Vitsas, was interviewed on Friday 11 November 2016, by the radio station “STO KOKKINO” and particularly by the journalist Giorgos Trapeziotis, during which he mentioned the following among others:

About the government’s set goals after the cabinet reshuffle:

The goals are the same.

First: We have a particular duty and that is a high degree of readiness of the Armed Forces, as a force of deterrence and, to the extent of our abilities, as a force of contribution to society. A central element is the reconstitution of the Armed Forces, in order to become modern, less costly, more effective, better trained throughout the various levels and inspire a feeling of certainty to the Greek people.

Second: We are near the completion of the procedure of National Defence’s Industrial Strategy. In the following days, after the procedure’s completion in the Parliament, it will be forwarded to the Governmental Council on Foreign Policy and National Defence and so our country will acquire an extra tool, concerning an important part of its industry, which had been neglected and I am not talking about just the state but also the private operations.

Third: With regards to care we strive so that the citizen who enlists to serve his country, will contribute but will also have gains. We want the time spent in the Army to be useful for the rest of his life. For example, doctors and lawyers will be able by law and under certain conditions based on operational needs, to do their professional practice in the Army. Other individuals will have the opportunity to be taught how to use computers. We also forward ideas for cooperation with the Ministry of Education and other bodies for particular professions.

We have put an end to thoughtless spending and thoughtless purchases and we focus not on armaments but on maintenance and upgrading of existing armaments and on targeted purchases which will add value. We believe that the Armed Force’s force multiplier is the human factor and we are very interested in his/her manifold and multilayered training.

Our officers have wider knowledge, with domestic and foreign training being a major contributing factor as well as the relations of MoD and military academies with the country’s universities. We are making an effort regarding residencies and homes, to facilitate people’s lives and help them financially and also give them the opportunity to better fulfill their duties. I would like to stress that the Armed Forces, the Police and the Coastguard have contributed to one of the 2-3 most important issues of our times. The issue of the refugees.

Regarding Turkey’s stance:

The truth is that Turkey has not changed its stance, although the situation in the country has changed and is not yet stable. It is not our place to worry but we must be vigilant, analyse the facts and take our own precautions.
The first and most important fact is that the Greek people can rest assured about the importance given to this issue by the government and the Ministry of National Defence.

The second is our decisiveness to not negotiate our sovereign rights in any international forum. We know and defend these rights. Greece’s claim is a fair solution for the issue of Cyprus and fair solutions for a number of issues concerning the region, such as the pacification in Middle East, which is where the problem stems from.

Foreign policy along with the all-around policy of the government, creates stability triangles and we play an important role towards that direction and we will play an even more important role to the reconstitution of the region after pacification. The Greece – Cyprus – Israel, Greece – Cyprus – Egypt and Greece – Cyprus – Jordan triangles are truly essential. The meetings in Rhodes and Athens are two of the most important actions taking place at a foreign policy level in the last years.

Regarding Cyprus:

It is difficult to find a viable solution not restricted by the decisions of the UN and the Republic of Cyprus. It has been clarified by the Minister of Foreign Affairs that such a solution cannot be one guaranteed by foreign powers. It will have to be a solution in tune with the character of the State of Cyprus, with the recognition of variety, with the nature of its federation and with international recognition. A solution cannot be found while half the country is occupied by troops. We seem to have some positive developments, however the leadership of the Turkish – Cypriots must stop being so intensely affected by the political leadership of Turkey.

Regarding the refugees:

We have concluded our communication with the local authorities and the social institutions of Lesvos, Samos and Chios.
Turkey utilises the common statement by the EU and Turkey as a threat. I believe that this practice is not in Turkey’s interests, because the common statement benefits Europe as well as Turkey and Greece. All of the above must be examined through the Geneva Convention and its annexes on refugees. We cannot violate human rights. I will not try to prophesise if Turkey will proceed to such actions. In my opinion it will not. But nevertheless there is concern.

A lot of progress is made in these meetings. We deliver international lessons while handling this issue, on how can someone manage such a difficult and complex problem which includes numerous factors.

We focus on how to solve issues pertaining to islands on multiple levels, because therein lies our main problem. The conditions in the mainland are much better and constantly improving. At the end of the month we will have two new accommodation centres, already existent but reorganised, at Koutsochero – Larisa and Ritsona. The standards for these centres will be adequate for the whole Europe.

We strive to expedite identifications, the procedure for the examination of asylum requests, the transport to other countries of Europe, the transport within the country and the return to Turkey. At the same time we look for ways to assist the local communities with measures of development, relief and completion, because the refugees’ issue causes inefficiencies in other sectors, such as tourism among other things. Alexis Charitsis has done a great job with regards to how some sectors must be assisted, especially on these islands and he has found ways to comply with standing requests and problems.

Regarding the Greek National Council for Radio and Television:

It was proven that the most basic cause for one year being wasted was the stance of New Democracy and other powers. Up until the last moment New Democracy fervently supported a created regime of lawlessness. The positive fact of yesterday’s procedure is that a contest is required along with the regulation of the radio and TV sector and correlation to the Constitution. We must facilitate the new Greek National Council for Radio and Television to conduct this contest, to complete this procedure and make sure that a state of lawfulness exists. When there is a state of lawfulness one can give the battle against corruption on different terms. With yesterday’s procedure another phase was concluded and a condition of lawfulness was formed.