POLICY weapons decision time

The final closure of the government’s emergency weapons program to reinforce the Armed Forces amid continued and growing threats from Ankara in the Eastern Mediterranean should be seen in a matter of days. At the same time, according to information from “K”, if something does not change drastically, the prevailing date for the signing of a substantial “defense agreement” between Greece and France should be considered September 10, during which the summit will take place. the countries of the South. in Corsica.

Without anything being sealed yet, as an arms agreement always has many aspects that can change the data, the summit is considered by Megaro Maximou the ideal moment to sign the agreement, since on the one hand it will send a clear message to Ankara, On the other hand, he will significantly support Kyriakos Mitsotakis since around 24 hours later he will be in Thessaloniki for the established press conference, although this year in a different context due to the pandemic.

According to the same sources, the agreement between Athens and Paris for the purchase of Rafale fighter jets is at an advanced level, as is the support for the Mirage 2000 fleet and the standardization of all French-type missiles.

At the same time, at a high political level, there have been discussions about a frigate. Lastly, talks are underway with other parties for the improvement of the four Greek MEKO frigates, as the main priority of Maximos is to increase the average life expectancy of the existing ships. Discussions also include the acquisition of heavy duty torpedoes, as well as four MH-60 helicopters.

At the same time that Maximou is constantly focusing on Ankara and Turkish provocations, he is also trying not to lag behind the government’s work on the home front. The phrase of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, during his introductory speech yesterday, the first after the summer break, Cabinet, shows exactly this path that the Government wants to take in the face of the difficult autumn that is coming.

Specifically, Mr. Mitsotakis, addressing his ministers, gave the stigma saying: “Obviously the news is critical, but in no case is it allowed to suspend our general reform plan.” In this context, the Prime Minister gave the impetus that “at the same time and in parallel with the dense initiatives that we undertake on the national issue but also in the face of the pandemic, we are continuously advancing in our legislative work” and “we continue this road and we will stay on it. “

In fact, yesterday’s cabinet had this strong position, as in the midst of the growing Turkish provocation, but also a pandemic, it focused on the second chance bill and the payment of debts.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis fully understands that, except for the Greek-Turks who are undoubtedly at the top of the agenda and the health crisis, the commitment to the reforms and changes that he had announced before the elections will be a long-term barometer for his government. . Hence the guidelines for ministers, reforms should not be left behind.

The new fence in Evros

The new section of the Evros fence, which will have a total length of 27 km and will cost 62.9 million euros, will be delivered in pieces and within 5 to 8 months from today. The Minister of Civil Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis, informed the Council of Ministers yesterday about its construction and its importance. The minister referred to the successful management of the crisis caused by Ankara in Evros last spring, noting that this crisis identified the need for a new artificial obstacle in the vulnerable parts of the land parts of the Greek-Turkish border. Part of the project concerns the maintenance and strengthening of the existing 12.5 km long fence from Border Station 1 in Kastanies to Nea Vyssa. The second and main part concerns the construction of a new fence on the river bank. According to the information, the first 9 km will be built in Feron’s “Petalo”, the next 15 km will cover the “Tsirozi Estate” area, while another 2.5 km will cover the “Nea Egnatia” area.