Minister, for what reasons would you decide to increase the length of military service?

My responsibility as Minister of National Defence is to identify problems and solve them, to perceive reality and try to change it to the benefit both of our country and of its people. I would, also, add that I am responsible to bring an end to a vicious circle of contradictions, which is evident, if not dominant.

We do not need a professional army; we cannot afford professional soldiers, because of the financial crisis. We are aiming at decreasing defence expenditures and the length of military service. However, at the same time, we require a high level of operational capability and efficiency so as to engender the feeling of security to all citizens. Therefore, we need to be sincere and sensible while trying to find solutions, because no pending issues can be accepted in this critical field. And this is what I am trying to do.

I have asked for suggestions and studies that would enable a more rationalized approach of the existing problems; such as, why so few people do their military service or what should be the criteria to obtain a postponement or exemption from military service. I would like to give a political answer to the question of why kids belonging to poorer social layers do their military service on time, while those coming from wealthier families have the ability to obtain postponements, to leave abroad for studies, to disappear or do a military service of reduced length. Does this situation correspond to the principles of equality and social justice? We will deal with all this in a responsible, decisive and careful way.

Have you taken decisive measures regarding incorporation or deactivation of military camps? Do you encounter reactions on behalf of your colleagues MPs?

Rationalization of defence expenses and their planned reduction would have been necessary to our country, even without the financial crisis putting more pressure on us. Some people consider the reduction in expenses as a reduction in the operational capability of the Armed Forces. This argument is not valid. At a global level, we are entering a period of changes in the field of Defence.

We cannot stick to our traditional mindsets. This also applies to our effort for a new integrated planning for the establishment and operation of our Army, through incorporations and deactivations of military camps, and with the operational needs that derive from the national defence and security doctrine taken into consideration. The criterion cannot be local politics that revive perceptions of the post civil war era. We establish military formations where required for the country’s defence and not where local bodies or MPs ask that we do.

Do you have a final plan regarding shipbuilding policy and what are the provisions for an eventual “shutdown” of shipyards?

Shipyards face serious problems, due to mistakes and omissions of the past. Their viability cannot be exclusively related to the orders placed by the Hellenic Navy. Their administrations should take matters seriously and respect their contractual obligations, just like our Ministry does. Blackmailing will not be tolerated. Our Government tries to defend public interest in every possible way.

Will Military Hospitals be integrated into the National Health System?

Accessibility to military hospitals for all citizens and their linkage to and cooperation with the National Health System is one the most solid priorities of the Ministry of National Defence. We have expanded the circle of beneficiaries and bed availability and we will try to promote the social role and services of the Armed Forces. In addition, along with my colleague, the Minister of Health and Social Solidarity, Mr. Loverdos, we will announce the establishment of clinics that will be administering substitute drugs within military hospitals as well.

To what extent are you concerned about the developments in the political-military status quo of Turkey?

Internal developments are of interest to the Turkish people and the political forces of the country. What we should be interested in is the external position of Turkey, in the frame of our bilateral relations and the relations with Cyprus. The revisionist policy and the continuous questioning of the principles of International Law can only cause tension in our area. We must deter them, through initiatives in the frame of International Law which is our comparative advantage. However, our power is the country’s national strategy which is supported by the vast majority of people and political forces. The national front in foreign policy and defence constitutes our most powerful weapon of deterrence.

How do you evaluate the recent threats against Cyprus on behalf of Turkey?

We are not afraid of threats. Once again, it is confirmed that the perception of Turkey regarding International Law and legitimacy has nothing to do with the fundamental principles of peaceful co-existence and cooperation between sovereign, democratic states. We are following the developments, through the required strategic calm and decisiveness.