‘The government very well gave increases to the Uniforms of the Armed Forces. Billions of euros cannot be spent For state -of -the -art equipment and handed by men and women of ED. Without having the increases they need. Beyond that, however, there are no second and third -class uniforms. Similar increases should be made to both our police and our firefighters and our ports, ”said the Minister of Maritime and Island Policy, Vasilis Kikilias, In an interview with ERT and journalists Dimitris Kotaridis and Nina Kassimatis.
As he characteristically said, “All these men and women who make up the armed forces and security forces is doing the highest work. I had the honor of fighting with our firefighters in two firefighters, in the most difficult conditions.
I don’t think there is any doubt that they are worth it and they need to be rewarded. Like our police officers, who in 2014, when I was Minister of Citizen Protection, faced in the most difficult times and periods experienced by Greek society, indignant, with memoranda, anthem, etc. And of course, at our marine border, at 18,500 miles of coastline, Our ports are fighting day and night, in adverse conditions, to save human lives, children, unprotected families, but also to defend our borders against crime, modern crime and of course take care of each port.
“And on the part of ferry tickets, the government supports the Greek family and the middle class.”
Kikilias: Ferry Ticket prices
Regarding the prices of ferry tickets, the minister stressed that it could not be a luxury for a Greek family to travel to the islands. “We are working with the presidency of the government and the Ministry of Finance officials, The way we will support this feature ”and added that the private sector should also contribute to it.
“Already, a large ferry company has announced discounts for Greek families on Easter. Of course the economy and the market is free, but we insist as a government in the part of the Greek family, popular households, middle class and they will support them. “
Kikilia: What did he say about migratory flows
“As far as migratory flows are concerned, the Coast Guard is the responsibility of the Ministry of Maritime and Island Policy.”
Regarding migratory flows, he said: “We live in an unstable and uncertain environment that, from day to day, does not know what it can face. The first picture I have is that it becomes a very large, organized and structured effort from our northeast borders to the southern part of the Aegean in what has to do with their guard, but also with the rescue of vulnerable groups, in accordance with the law of the sea and all the humanitarian regulations. But our maritime borders will be kept and – I do not want anyone to misunderstand it – this is the work of the Coast Guard.
You heard the Prime Minister’s command of how we will move on this issue, based on our border guarding and preventing criminal or other actions (modern smuggling of weapons, drugs, etc.). It must, in terms of the Ministry of Immigration Policy, should move on. This is the role and responsibility of this ministry. Mine is the Coast Guard that has many obligations across the country and its ports, but the other part of border guard exists. “
Kikilias: “There are some politicians who are for the difficult and others who are hidden”
“I see society and the parties seeking, politicians and especially ministers, if and if there are evidence or shades of signs, are being tried in their natural judge. The Prime Minister himself, listening to society, He came forward and said, “My goal is to make a constitutional review, to initiate these processes with the rest of the political system in order to make it a reality.”
And when it is found one minister, who comes out courageously and says, “This is what Greek society wants, this is constitutionally preferred by the government and the New Democracy and the opposition parties are asking for it, run the procedures to be tried, though, if and since my natural judge”, there is a bad loss. In terms of society and the poll, if you will, pressure …
Look, there are some politicians who are for the hardships and some others who are hidden. There are still some, who exploit opportunist and populist the momentum of a time, have no proposals and cannot contribute to anything to Greek society and the problems of the middle class and popular households.
I am clearly in favor of these policies who boldly defend what they consider to be right. And I think it is the one who hides behind his position and his status and does not take a position on the major problems faced by Greek society. “