D. AVRAMOPOULOS: My tour here in Chania has only just concluded, with my visit at the 115 Combat Wing, the Naval Dock, the NATO Missile Firing Installation and the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre. During this visit, I was informed by the commandments and the staff officers on all the programmes concerning the operation of our defence formations here, as well as the capabilities we have for the further international exploitation of Crete’s infrastructures. The country’s Armed Forces oppose and resist the cruel reality we all experience, while this financial crisis has reached its peak. At any given chance, I repeat that we shall not let, we shall not allow this financial crisis affect the Hellenic Armed Forces’ operation, readiness and effectiveness. During my visit here, when addressing the military and civilian personnel, I had the chance to underline the importance of the morale and spirit of military and civilian personnel in service, for our national defence system. I know that the pressure exercised on them due to the generalized financial circumstance and the country’s obligations, already has its consequences. However, we have clearly set the lines and boundaries and we will not allow this crisis to affect them in any way. The military and civilian personnel feel that the political and military leadership is by their side, that the Government works and cooperates, with a high feeling of national responsibility and social sensitivity, towards the direction I just described.
JOURNALIST: Is there any apprehension for the possibility of some, let’s say, incidents due to the developments on the issue of the EEZ in Kastelorizo, but also to the procedure of research for natural gas and oil south of Crete, and what is the role of 115 Combat Wing and the NATO Missile Firing Installation in case of such a prospect?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: Regardless of the point you raised with your question, I would like to tell you that the Hellenic Air Force, as well as our entire defence system is at constant operational readiness. We have not allowed, during this whole period, the Hellenic sovereign and the country’s internationally recognized and entrenched financial interests be questioned in the least. Now, thereafter, our deterring forces are always at state of readiness and, until now, we never encountered such a wearisome sign. Every day, our airspace, our national territorial waters and our territory are under the protection and the vigilant look of the Hellenic Armed Forces.
JOURNALIST: Mister Minister, at political level, a mini reshuffle took place yesterday. Do you believe that the present government, as it is, will be able to lead the country to the election, without problems? When should this election finally take place?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: The aim for which this government has been formed is very clear. The time schedule has been set. Any improvements concerning its operation, according to the Prime Minister’s judgment, do not degrade its main goal, time schedule and character. Besides all that, two months from now we will definitely have an election. We should all preserve and treasure political stability. We must comprehend that we no longer have the luxury of situations that might disturb the ambience, at a period when understanding, national cooperation and stability are needed. These times are very hard. We need to have prudence and discretion. This is a responsibility assumed by the Government and, I would like to believe, also by all the political authorities.
