The assurance that Greece has strong and ready military forces for wherever it is required, was given from the floor of Parliament, the Deputy Minister of National Defense Nikos Hardalias.
At the same time, he stressed that Greece’s assistance in sending military defense equipment to Eastern Europe is part of our country’s contractual obligations to NATO, adding that in no case is the Greek defense shield weakened but instead is a security factor.
The occasion was the topical question of the SYRIZA MP George Tsipras, who asked for clarifications regarding the deployment of Greek army forces in the NATO Rapid Reaction Force in Eastern Europe.
“I send a reassuring message to the Greek people that they must feel safe because we have strong and ready forces for war wherever and whenever required. “Our assistance to the NATO Rapid Reaction Force is part of our country’s obligations and in no case do we weaken its defense shield by sending military equipment to Ukraine,” said Mr. Hardalias.
For his part, Mr. Tsipras spoke about opaque procedures, and argued that there is no information about the commitments that our country has made to NATO and the US, asking for clarifications from the government on its decision to involve our country in the war in Ukraine.
“There are reports about the sending of Greek forces to the NATO Rapid Reaction Force in Eastern Europe, and you do not answer whether or not we sent them. We should not have been involved in the Ukraine war. “Is the threat of Russia in Ukraine or Turkey more important for us?”, The SYRIZA MP noted, among other things.
“There is no opacity in everything we decide and launch on major issues. It is commonplace that, after the unacceptable Russian invasion of Ukraine, all the facts changed. We must take into account the constant Russian aggression. NATO’s Rapid Reaction Force is needed and is aimed at tackling the emerging crisis. Each NATO Member State decides on the disposition and conditions under which it wishes to contribute to the NATO Alliance, always with national security in mind. The sending of Greek military equipment does not affect the anti-aircraft capability of our country and in no case do we weaken its defense shield. On the contrary, it is a security factor as it will impose stability in the region and will increase the capabilities of the Greek air force “, answered Mr. Hardalias.
At the same time, he characterized the views on non-participation of our country in the NATO force as sterile.
“NATO’s Rapid Reaction Force is on high alert and can be deployed rapidly when required. Greece’s participation procedures are completely transparent. Each NATO member state decides how it will contribute and with what forces, based on KYSEA. And it’s a dilemma as to whether the threat is greater than Russia or Turkey. We are on full alert to assist. “The defense of our country is an absolute end in itself for us”, pointed out Mr. Hardalias.
“You did not make us wiser. “Your answer is vague,” said Mr. Tsipras.
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