Austerity budget for the Greek Ministry of Defence
The budget of the Ministry of Defence for the year 2012 will amount to just 4.1 billion euros, down by 16.22% compared to 2011, said Minister of National Defence, Mr Avramopoulos, in the Parliament. Note that in 2011 the defense budget had an overall decrease of 19.40% compared to 2010, being 4.9 billion euros. In particular, for the following year (2012) there will be:- a 6.15% reduction in salaries, totaling 2.14 billion euros or 52% of the total budget.
- a 5.46% reduction in the operational costs, touching for the first time after several years, an amount less than 1 billion euros, representing 23.7% of the total budget of the Ministry.
- a 37.5% reduction in the projected payments of acquisition programs, amounting to 1 billion, representing 24.3% * of the budget of the Ministry. This amount relates primarily to payments for armament programs of previous years and ongoing maintenance and supply of spare parts.
The Minister of National Defence also stated that the new structure of the Armed Forces, as designed by the General Staff and currently evaluated by the political leadership will play a leading role in saving resources for the Ministry and the Armed Forces and their more efficient operating. The announcements regarding the new structure are expected in early 2012.
Despite the budget reduction he stressed that “I assure you that the economic crisis has not reduced the reliability, the morale and strength of the army. The Greek Armed Forces are fully aware of their mission. “, he said
Regarding the armaments, the Minister said that the armament needs of our country, unlike other European countries, are mainly defensive and have a deterrent orientation. “We have to deal with an unstable environment in our region, which becomes even more fluid with developments in the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Middle East. In this sense, ensuring security and peace in our region is a prerequisite for the reduction of armaments”, he said.
Addressing to Turkey regarding the recent tension in the region he stated that “in connection with the intensification of military activity in the air and sea in the Aegean, especially after the opening of gas exploration in the EEZ of Cyprus, Greece does not threaten anyone or gets threatened by anyone. Our national rights, which are in accordance with international law are not negotiable. Nothing can change this reality.” He also called for Turkey to remove the Casus belli of the Turkish National Assembly as countries do not negotiate under the threat of war.
Source:mod.mil.gr
No comments:
Post a Comment