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- Ελληνικά
The session for the presentation of the Ministry of Defence's budget for 2024 to the Finance Committee of the House of Representatives has just ended.
I would like to begin by thanking both the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and the Parliamentary Committee on Finance for the cordial, productive cooperation and constructive dialogue.
We are, in every respect, going through the most critical period in recent years. The uncertainty in Europe caused by the complex and protracted conflict in Ukraine, following Russia's invasion in February 2022, has been exacerbated by what has been happening since 7 October in our neighbourhood, following the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel and Israel's ongoing operations in the Gaza Strip, with a real risk of the conflict expanding into a wider armed crisis in the Middle East.
In addition, the unstable regional geopolitical situation is compounded by Turkey's long-standing provocativeness and intransigence, which in no way allow us to be complacent. On the contrary, they require us to demonstrate the necessary maturity and seriousness, and to prove ourselves worthy of the circumstances.
We have set specific objectives for the use of resources in the most rational way.
Our policy to achieve them is based on 3 main Pillars of Action.
The first Pillar of Actions concerns our plans to strengthen and enhance the deterrent power and military capabilities of the National Guard in order to ensure the effective defence of the Republic of Cyprus and the adequate security of Cypriot citizens as a whole.
With regard to the strengthening of our deterrent capacity and the achievement of the target we set for statutory fixed expenditure of at least 2% of the Gross National Product (GNP), we have proceeded with the study and drafting of an armament programme with a long-term plan as well as a timely and prudent allocation of funds, in such a way that the National Guard's strength is strengthened to the maximum.
We participate in high-tech defence programmes of the European Union (EU) with the utilization of Cypriot industries. The creation of a national Research and Innovation ecosystem in the fields of Defence and Security can provide solutions and enhance the operational needs of the National Guard.
As the Ministry of Defence, we maintain an active and substantial presence in all institutions, actions and programmes of the Common Security and Defence Policy and the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO).
Of particular importance is our cooperation (bilateral, trilateral and quadrilateral) with countries of the region, EU member states and important international actors in the region. We focus on the extroversion of the defence policy of the Republic of Cyprus in order to play an essential role in the efforts to create conditions of security, peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean region. In the context of our cooperation, the National Guard conducts joint training with other Armed Forces, both on the territory of the Republic of Cyprus and abroad, which are considered particularly beneficial.
In the context of our policy of establishing strong partnerships and upgrading the role of Cyprus, the strengthening of our cooperation with Greece, which was put on an even firmer footing after the 1st Intergovernmental Meeting between Greece and Cyprus, which took place in Athens on 10 November 2023, is also part of the strengthening of our cooperation with Greece, which was put on an even firmer footing after the 1st Intergovernmental Meeting between Greece and Cyprus, which took place in Athens on 10 November 2023.
Of course, an important development is the deepening of our relations with the United States, which were strengthened with the passing of the East Med Act. In recent years, military cooperation between our countries has been significantly upgraded and important initiatives in the military sector have been implemented and promoted.
With regard to our efforts to make the National Guard a modern, flexible, semi-professional army, we are proceeding, among other things, to substantially improve the institution of Contracted Soldiers and to promote regulations on allowances and insurance coverage for members of the Army who perform high-risk duties.
In order to address Emergency Needs related to the Defence and Security of the Republic of Cyprus, we aim to strengthen the services of the Search and Rescue Coordination Centre and to enhance the response of various services in cases of emergency.
The second pillar concerns the planning and implementation of actions to adapt and increase the operational resilience of the National Guard to climate change by mitigating the negative effects of the emerging and now calculable climate threat.
In order to contribute to the Government's effort to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and transition to green growth, we have set as a primary objective the saving of energy from the operation of our facilities, the promotion and implementation of plans for the use of renewable energy sources and the adaptation of the National Guard's activities in the context of achieving the broader energy goals of Cyprus, without affecting our operational readiness. In this context, the implementation in six National Guard camps of the Ecological Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) is also part of this process, with the aim of proper waste management, energy saving and reduction of environmental pollutants.
The third and last pillar of actions includes the digital transformation and digital transition of the Ministry of Defence and the National Guard in order to exploit new technologies and adapt our armed forces to the new demanding technological environment of our times.
With regard to cyber security, in cooperation with the competent authorities of the Republic, we are taking the necessary steps to upgrade the armouring of its unclassified information systems.
In conclusion, I would like to thank once again the Parliamentary Committees on Defence and Finance for their contribution.
They remain allies in the overall effort to enhance the defensive, deterrent power of our country.
Thank you.
(EAT/GC)
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