Our strategic choice is the continuous investment in the Armed Forces 2024-05-10 14:57:43

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited Chios today, where he was informed regarding the progress of the important infrastructure projects on the island. He also attended the official celebration of Saint George the Trophy Bearer, patron of the Land Army, at the “Giala” camp, and had the opportunity to visit the Museum of Massacres at the Holy Monastery of Saint Minas and the Research Center of the Chios Mastic Producers’ Union.

Continued investment in the Armed Forces is a strategic choice that we inevitably serve
The Prime Minister attended the eulogy of the Armed Forces together with the Chief of the General Staff of the National Defense General Dimitrios Houpis, then laid a wreath, while following the ceremony he spoke with national guardsmen serving in Chios and was informed regarding the weapon systems available to the unit.

Immediately following, Kyriakos Mitsotakis made the following statement:

“Today we honor the memory of Saint George the Trophy Bearer, who since 1864 has been the patron saint of the Greek Army. In the person of the Chief of the Greek Army, I would like to express my gratitude to all the men and women of the Greek Army, the Armed Forces, our National Guard, our civilian personnel, for the services they provide to our country.

Continued investment in the Armed Forces is a one-way street in these times of great geopolitical instability. It is a strategic choice, which our government has been inexorably serving for five years.

The Armed Forces ensure national sovereignty but at the same time serve a very important role in peacetime, providing everything from health services to the construction of small infrastructure projects and from air transport, in cases of medical emergency, to support in climate crisis conditions. And precisely for this role, for the services you offer to the homeland, Mr. Chief, the Greek men and women are grateful to you and we wish the Greek Army, the Land Army, a happy birthday”.

The progress of the projects is also monitored at the level of the Prime Minister’s Office

Earlier in the morning, the Prime Minister met at the Town Hall of Chios with the Mayors of Chios Yiannis Malafi, Kostas Vratsano of Psaro and Giorgos Daniil of Oinoussa and representatives of local bodies, with whom he discussed issues of local interest and the drastic reduction of irregular migration flows in the eastern Aegean. while then he went to the offices of the North Aegean Region.

In the context of the discussions, an update was given on the progress of implementation and pending matters for the completion and filling of the Koris Gefyri dam, the construction of the Courthouse, the extension of the runway of the state airport “Homeros” and the restructuring – expansion of the building facilities of the airport.

During his meeting with the Deputy Governor of Chios Pantelis Vroulis at the offices of the Region, the Prime Minister noted:

“I can assure that we have already been informed in detail regarding the progress of the projects. I want you to know that there is also monitoring at the level of the Prime Minister’s Office.

I know that especially for the dam, it’s a painful project with a heavy history, but I believe that at least we have a clear road map of what needs to be done from now on to complete the project.
For all the country’s dams, I have given a clear direction that before we start discussing new projects, we must first make sure to complete the projects that have already been launched, and this obviously also concerns the Koris Gefyri dam.

And on the issue of the airport, I know we’ve had some delays but I’m pleased that the building seems to be progressing very quickly and I think we now have a clear road map as to how we’re going to deal with the corridor issues.

Simply, if I go back in time, in 2019, when we got down to business, these were all plans on paper. Now at least they are projects that, even with some delays, are being implemented and I believe that at the end of the four years all the basic infrastructure projects concerning Chios, including the Local Urban Plan, to which I attach great importance, because it will unlock significant development potential of the island, will now be completed.

You know that we have a very good cooperation with the second and first grade Local Government. And of course I should point out that unlike other visits to the North Aegean, in other times, I am glad that you did not raise the first issue that you always raised with us five years ago, which is immigration. An issue which, thanks to the work done by the Minister, seems to have entered into a series.

Where we used to discuss how to curb illegal immigration, we are now happy to welcome tourists from Turkey, with visa facilitation, to further support the local community all year round. So we are now talking regarding a completely different landscape, a different situation in space.

Of course, it doesn’t mean that we don’t have problems, but every visit of mine is always an opportunity to be able to form a better picture of what needs to be done and of course to give the relevant acceleration to the projects that need to move forward. So don’t worry, even in the limited time, know that we always come educated.”

Mitsotakis’ visit to the Holy Monastery of Agios Minas – He was shown around by the Metropolitan

As part of his visit to Chios, the Prime Minister also visited the Museum of Massacres, in the Holy Monastery of Agios Minas, where he was guided by the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Chios, Psara and Oinoussa etc. Marko in the exhibition on the Massacre of Chios, which took place in 1822.

Immediately following, Kyriakos Mitsotakis went to the Research Center of the Mastic Producers Union of Chios, where he was guided by the President of the Union Giorgos Toumpos and the Managing Director of the Center Yiannis Mandalas. In a discussion the Prime Minister had with chewing gum producers members of the Union he noted:

“I am happy to see here the great wealth of the Greek land. Mastic seems to be a product that constantly has this ability to give birth to new ideas, new products and new innovations.
I want to congratulate you for what you are doing, because I realize that an ecosystem of companies is also developing around the Center, each of which can come with their own new idea and, if it works, turn it into a product and then, exploiting it the globally recognized brand of mastic, to conquer not only the domestic but also the international markets.

I am indeed glad that even traditional producers, first and foremost the Union itself, realize the great importance of investing in research and innovation, just as you are doing here. So I wish you good luck. If we can be helpful in any way, we will, although I sense that the foundations have already been laid, judging by how many different mastic-based products I’m seeing coming out now.”

In his speech to the citizens, the Greek Prime Minister said characteristically: “We have ahead of us European elections that will send political messages and because I hear various people from the opposition saying that it is an opportunity to send a message of discontent, we are raising the gauntlet of the challenge, political stability is at stake of the elections and it will be proven that nothing has changed since the trust that the citizens showed us in 2023. The second 4-year period is the period of major changes that will bring Greece even closer to the orbit of Europe”.

He also emphasized that: “Economic policy should not be jeopardized. Let’s not give some people the opportunity to claim that this course should be disrupted. This will not happen, ND will be the winner of the European elections, I am very optimistic regarding the result”.

“ND is the only one with a convincing proposal. I want us to make the great effort of rallying once more, to go and vote, not to face the European elections with laziness”, Mr. Mitsotakis also noted.

“We are perhaps the only country where, in this pre-election period, the immigrant-refugee issue is not the first topic of discussion. Instead of debating how to deal with illegal immigrants we are happy to accept legal visitors from Turkey under the visa express program. We are the only country that has managed to secure an exemption from the strict Schengen framework to secure visas with fast procedures. We succeeded because the government has credibility in Brussels, our voice counts, we are not the black sheep and this has an impact on your daily life.”

According to alithia.gr the prime minister also referred to the issue of VAT in Psara and Oinousses saying that he will examine the request for a reduction of the rates.

The prime minister also spoke regarding the government’s policies in the economy, health, education and called on the citizens in the upcoming European elections not to vote lightly and to give the New Democracy in Chios a strong lead in these elections as well.