It is with great pleasure that I am here with you today, at the Conference organised by the Pancyprian Federation of Reserve Officers.
First of all, I would like to express my thanks to the President and the members of the Association for the invitation and to convey to everyone the greetings and appreciation of the President of the Republic, who, due to an unfulfilled obligation, was unable to attend.
This year marks the 55th anniversary of the foundation of the Pancyprian Federation of Reserve Officers.
This year marks the 55th anniversary of the foundation of the Pancyprian Federation of Reserve Officers. Fifty-five years of uninterrupted presence and selfless contribution to the troops, in the effort to defend the territorial integrity and freedom of our country.
For decades now, the Reserve Officers of all Arms and Corps have not ceased to maintain living links with the great family of the National Guard, supporting over time the leadership of the troops and, by extension, the defense of our country.
Your experience, knowledge, and especially your interest and love for the armed forces are truly valuable and can contribute to the formulation of proposals and suggestions in the broader effort to strengthen, modernize and advance the National Guard.
This is also evident from the organization of today's conference, which deals with critical and complex issues that concern Cyprus, Greece and the countries of our region in general, but also the entire societies and governments of the countries of the European Union in general.
In a period of significant and complex international developments, the National Guard remains steadfastly committed to defending the fundamental principles of freedom and democracy.
The high ideals of those who fought and fell in service to the National Guard and our country are a beacon that marks the path of duty and responsibility. As long as this persists, the National Guard will continue to maintain and enhance its deterrent capability against any aggression, while responding to the new modern challenges and obligations arising from the Republic of Cyprus' participation in the EU.
Dear Members,
As the Ministry of Defence, we have set objectives aimed at strengthening the defence and security of the country, as well as strengthening the functioning of the Ministry's structures, through the most rational use of the resources at our disposal. We are moving forward with steady steps, setting priorities and through collective work we are achieving the desired results.
Our strategic objectives are based on 6 pillars.
In the second pillar of strengthening defence cooperation relations with other states, I would like to highlight the bilateral, trilateral and quadrilateral cooperation with more than 15 countries, participation in multinational activities and exercises that give prestige to the Republic of Cyprus and are beneficial for the personnel.
We have upgraded cooperation with the USA. We achieved the complete lifting of the embargo, which I personally consider a great diplomatic success, and we are continuously participating in the International Military Training (IMET) programme. We concluded a Bilateral Service and Logistics Agreement (ACSA) and initiated the inclusion of the National Guard in a State Partnership Program (SPP) with the State of New Jersey.
An important step was the signing of a bilateral cooperation program with Germany and the appointment of a Defense Attaché for the first time. We are in the process of negotiating the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.
In the 3rd pillar concerning our actions and plans for the implementation of innovative and reform actions, we support financially and administratively the participation of Cypriot entities in 17 programmes of the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) and the European Defence Fund (EDF). In addition, in cooperation with the Research and Innovation Foundation (RTI), we have recently launched new research and development projects in dual-use technologies, raising a total of EUR 3 million.
We are implementing reform actions related to electronic recruitment services such as electronic enlistment, declaration of data of male conscripts reaching the age of 16, application for recruitment of SYOPs, issuance of type A certificate and interconnection with KEP - KEPO, cadastral department and government hub.
We are implementing reform actions related to electronic recruitment services such as electronic enlistment, declaration of data of male conscripts reaching the age of 16, application for recruitment of SYOPs, issuance of type A certificate and interconnection with KEP - KEPO, cadastral department and government hub. The interconnection with the Cyprus Police Force has definitively solved the problem of the identification and conscription of unregistered reservists. Since the start of the system for the identification of reservists, a total of 10600 FAPs have been served.
In the 4th pillar concerning the simplification and improvement of the Legislative and Regulatory Framework for the fight against desertion (down to 1.8%), the CIO is now given the opportunity, through legislation, to check whether an athlete meets the necessary recruitment criteria and then issue a health card.
Legislation was enacted to regulate the working hours of members of the Army of the Republic and the NF and amendments were passed to the Regulations on the Army of the Republic concerning Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers of the Army, in order to fill identified gaps. Further amendments are being prepared for 2023.
Additional 3 Brigadier, 6 Colonels, 14 Lieutenant Colonels, 9 Majors were given additional posts covering administrative needs. We upgraded the graduates of the higher military NCO colleges of third year who will now be placed in the A5 (2nd grade) and A6(ii) scales. The Ministry of Finance has come up with an improved proposal to finally resolve the pension issue of Contract NCOs. I have today tabled a Bill which enhances the viability of the institution of CCOs. Specifically, they are allowed to remain in service until they reach the age of 42.
Under the 5th pillar of enhancing the efficiency of financial resources and the Budget, the efficient management of financial resources can be seen in the absorption rate of the Budget by increasing it from 94% to 96%.
In the 6th pillar of the Ministry's Environmental and Energy Policy, efforts are being made to reduce the National Guard's operating costs by utilizing renewable energy sources. By 2023, 6600 energy-intensive lighting fixtures in National Guard camps will be replaced with LED lighting fixtures. For the energy saving programme, funding of €19 million has been secured from the European Structural Funds, in particular the Thaleia Programme, for the installation of photovoltaic systems with a total capacity of approximately 12 MW.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As Minister of Defence, I assure you that your contribution to maintaining and improving the morale of the National Guard over the years is highly acknowledged and appreciated.
As Minister of Defence, I assure you that your contribution to maintaining and improving the morale of the National Guard over the years is highly acknowledged and appreciated.
As Minister of Defence, I assure you that your contribution to maintaining and improving the morale of the National Guard over the years is highly acknowledged and appreciated.
I would therefore like to convey the sincere gratitude of the state and thank each and every one of you individually for your invaluable contribution and service to our semi-defeated country.
I wholeheartedly wish you good health, success in the proceedings of today's convention and every success in whatever you undertake for the benefit of your country.
(ZM/MX)
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Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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