One of the main pillars of the Ministry of Defence's policy is the implementation of innovative and reforming actions. We are adopting and integrating new technologies into the daily operations of the Department to modernize and improve our capabilities. In this context, the provision of electronic services to the general public and the digital transformation of the Ministry has already begun, for example, electronic enlistment, the identification of reservists, the service of citizens by the KEPs, etc.
In this context, the provision of electronic services to the general public and the digital transformation of the Ministry has already begun. An objective which is in full harmony and in line with the announced policy of the present government.
We are, therefore, pleased today to announce two more electronic platforms coming into operation. The first is for the declaration of the details of conscripts who have reached the age of 16 and the second, the application process for the recruitment of Contract Soldiers.
The Ministry's new platform for completing the details of 16 year olds will go live from next Tuesday 1 February. Those males who have attained the age of 16 can easily submit their details online within 2 months without any hassle. This is a process which was earlier often complained about for its complexity and required many man-hours by the staff of the Ministry and the NF to process the data. From now on this process will be done digitally. Through a user-friendly and easily accessible platform, young people will submit their data so that the necessary preparation and preparation for their call-up to the National Guard can be done.
I want to stress here that, according to the relevant legislation, this is a process that is MANDATORY for all male youths who reach the age of 16. In other words, in no way do I want to give the impression that if someone does not complete the platform they will not be called up for military service. All the mechanisms are in place, in cooperation with other government agencies, to identify and invite all those who are required to enlist.
We are confident that all young people, as in the case of online enlistment, will embrace the process first and foremost for their own convenience.
The second platform, concerns the full digitalisation of the application for recruitment to the successful institution of SYOP. This is another process which was conducted in paper form. Interested parties will not have to run from office to office to submit their applications. From their home and computer they will submit their applications electronically simplifying to the maximum extent possible the expression of interest to be recruited as a SYOP in the National Guard.
Friends,
As I have mentioned, technological upgrade is a one-way street as we believe it has a lot to offer at all levels. We have thus set ourselves the goal of digitising as many services as possible to facilitate the daily lives of citizens.
Briefly. The electronic process of submitting the data of new recruits for their enlistment has been in operation for 2 years. In addition, the development of the electronic interface between the Ministry of Defence and the Cyprus Police Force is now a fact and since the day before yesterday it has been implemented at the Ports, Airports and roadblocks. In the first two days 119 individual call sheets have been served, a highly satisfactory number.
The two applications we are presenting today are the continuation and I can assure you that we are steadily proceeding, with a specific timetable, with the digitisation of other services.
I would therefore like to express my sincere thanks to the staff of the Ministry who are working on the implementation of the objectives and to the State Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy for their excellent cooperation.
(MB/SX)
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