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Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed the view that Greece's national arsenal is being strengthened through the bill on the country's defence armouring, which is currently being debated in Parliament. Mitsotakis argued that this bill, which contains, among other things, the contracts for the purchase of Belharra frigates and six additional Rafale fighter jets, "emphatically and practically upgrades Greece's geopolitical position on the European and global map."[/P]Arguing that the bill is aligned with the broader goal of European Strategic Autonomy, Mitsotakis also referred to the way in which Turkey has treated the strategic partnership with France.
Calling it "rhetorical fireworks," he noted that "this is not the first time Ankara has distorted the truth." "But by running amok over the islands, some people have decided to falsify international law, treaties, history and geography at the same time," he stressed."That is why they got an immediate response from everyone, so that they could turn wiser to their internal issues. With our position always being firm. Our door is always closed to any threat and our window is always open to any dialogue based on international legitimacy," the Greek Prime Minister said. "While everyone in NATO, and rightly so, talks about a common front against Moscow because of the tensions in Ukraine, within the Euro-Atlantic framework itself there is a fundamental contradiction. One partner, stable and peaceful, is threatened by another partner, which even ignores international law and the rules of the Alliance and sometimes blackmails it by arming itself with Russian systems."
Regarding the details of the bill under discussion, Mr. Mitsotakis argued that the purchase of the frigates is "extremely beneficial for the country", as their repayment will be made over a long period of time, with a parallel three-year logistical support of the vessels and five-year support of their equipment.
At the same time, regarding the purchase of the Rafale, he noted that Greece secured their purchase "cheaper than their original price and in a very short period of time compared to similar orders that had been placed in the past."
At the same time, regarding the purchase of the Rafale, he noted that Greece secured their purchase "cheaper than their original price and in a very short period of time compared to similar orders that had been placed in the past.
Mitsotakis noted that the government has formulated "a coherent and well-structured operational plan", which, according to him, "responds in the most effective way to the needs of the country's Armed Forces".
He also criticized the opposition for its stance on the passage of the bill, arguing that it does not demonstrate responsibility.
Referring to France as a partner with whom Greece concluded the specific contracts, Mitsotakis noted that "it is not only a stable ally. It is also a nuclear power." France "is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council."
It is the European state that currently possesses the most advanced defence technology and know-how. Within NATO, it reinforces the Atlantic interest in the Mediterranean," he concluded."
Source: CNA
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