The Minister of National Defence Panos Kammenos, accompanied by the Chief of the HNDGS Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis (Hellenic Navy), attended the ceremony of signing of a memorandum of cooperation for the operation of the bases supporting the air evacuations of the National First Aid Centre at Syros and Lesvos.

The Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks Christos Spirtzis as well as the Alternate Minister of Health Pavlos Polakis also attended the event.

The Minister of National Defence during his address said the following:

“Today, along with my colleagues, the Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks Christos Spirtzis and the Alternate Minister of Health Pavlos Polakis, we came to Syros to sign the memorandum of cooperation for the operation of the bases supporting the air evacuations of the National First Aid Centre in Syros and Lesvos, from where the helicopters of the Army Aviation will operate.

After a request by the National First Aid Centre, but mainly of the local society, we commenced the building of this infrastructure. At this point I would like to thank in particular the PMs of Cyclades, the representatives of the local administration and all the citizens who contributed in this effort. With the contribution of the Ministry of National Defence, the capabilities of air evacuation are essentially upgraded, initially at Cyclades and secondly at the Northern Aegean. Of course the central management is retained by the Ministry of Health, since our role is purely assistive.

As you know the contribution of the Armed Forces flying assets in the sector of heath is very essential. I would like to mention that the Aegean is covered in this sector throughout the day by the helicopters of Army Aviation, as well as the Super Pumas of the Air Force.

The response time for the calls of the National First Aid Centre, as stipulated by the procedure, has decreased to less than 20 minutes from the moment the request for the transit of a flying asset is received. The purpose of today’s agreement is to reduce that time even more and at the same time to have the capability to offer any other necessary asset at the disposal of the Ministry of National Defence. I need only say that in the year 2015, 954 air evacuation missions were conducted, while in 2016, up to this point, the number has reached 773.

From the first days we took office we set as a basic goal of our policy the wide participation of the Armed Forces in activities that benefit the society.

We know very well that our duty is to not let any deviation thwart us from the primary mission, which is the safeguarding of our territory and of the national independence, of the defence interests and of our country’s security.

But we do not forget that the social contribution of the Armed Forces which is of the highest level, in cases of natural disasters, fire, search and rescue, air evacuation etc, enhances the bonds with society, increases the sense of security and forges the social cohesion.

At this point I would like to particularly thank – through the Chief of the Armed Forces, honouring us today with his presence – all the cadres of the Armed Forces, because they truly contribute to the society, not because they are ordered, but because they feel it in their hearts.

The common element of the above is none other than the best possible use of resources, made available to us by the striving Greek people.

The Government with social responsibility and consistent with its commitments towards the citizens, intensively promotes all the policies and reforms, which gradually and methodically change the course of this country.

The accumulated problems which we are called to face in inflexible times are many and difficult, but we should clarify that it is our honour that the Greek people assigned their resolution to us and so we decidedly move forward to succeed.

I would now like to talk about the particularities of our islands. Insularity is protected by article 101 of the Constitution. I would like to assure you that the goal of the government is to apply this constitutional directive.

There is an impression that the Ministry of National Defence and most of the structures of the Armed Forces are deployed mostly at the Islands of Eastern Aegean, the Northern Aegean and Evros. However I would like to assure you that the Armed Forces will be present at the Cyclades, in every infrastructure project we can assist in, without substituting the private sector.

Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks,

I would like to assure you that the Studies and Constructions Unit will be at your disposal, in order to collaborate along with the Higher Military Command of Interior and Islands so as to build the entire infrastructure necessary. The study and the application of a plan for the building of a small airfield in Anafi have already begun, offering the capability for communication with the airport of Santorini.

We believe that the Armed Forces contribution can expand to the other islands of the Cyclades because during the last 27 years human lives have been lost for no reason and we have to draft a plan with the contribution of all the government’s bodies so as not to face similar incidents again.

Minister of Health

I would like to assure you that the military personnel of the Armed Forces hospitals is at your disposal, within our capabilities, to assist you if necessary in your duties. They can examine the inhabitants of the small islands and we can contribute with assets and personnel to the valuable work conducted by the Ministry of Health.

I would particularly like to mention the people lost in air evacuations. We should not forget that pilots, crews and paramedics lost their lives in the line of duty, knowing that they flew in particularly hard missions. They are part of our heroes Pantheon, because the securing of life constitutes our national mission.

Mister Mayor,

Five months ago we met here again to sign a groundbreaking agreement for the utilisation of the Captain Apostolos Zafiris Camp and the Vari Firing Range.

You can understand that by upgrading the health services in your area, a new reality arises with regards to the further development of business at your island.

So today, I would like to take this opportunity to make a special mention to the crews of the flying assets of the three services, flying daily and at the same time I would like to ask from the local society to continue embracing every similar effort and even mobilise volunteers, as we are going to do with the troops of the National Guard.

Syros is the capital of Cyclades and this is a fact which we should never forget. Syros is our hope for the development of all the other islands.

We would like to thank the Orthodox and Catholic Churches and all the authorities, the Mayor, the Head of the Region and the PMs for their support in this work.

We will stand by their side”.