«Mr. Speaker,
Dear colleagues,
regarding the proposal which is discussed today about the Committee of Inquiry into the contract for the building of submarines in the Skaramagas Shipyard, I estimate that eventually it does not contribute, within the current difficult political situation, to the solution of a real problem which really has concerned the Greek government and made Greek people wonder for more than 15 years.
And I am certain that all political forces in this room have one goal:
To make all aspects and dimensions of this topic understood without any unnecessary argues, disputes and to find out a solution and finally move on. Fifteen years is a long time and perhaps it might raise a question as to whether we are able to find solutions here.
It is true that since late 90’s and on, the political decisions of that time led Skaramagas Shipyard, as well as our country’s entire ship-building and maintenance industry, into a deeply problematic situation and most efforts made ever since have not yet led to positive results.
The voting of the ratification law 3885/2010 was definitely a new milestone in the effort to solve the long-lasting problems of the shipyards’ by introducing a contractual provision about the completion of the projects of shipbuilding and delivery of the new submarines, by ensuring the function of Skaramagas Shipyards and, of course, by ensuring its job posts.
Moreover – and I must stress this – this agreement resulted in assigning the submarine PAPANIKOLIS to an operational position which had distressed the political system and the public opinion for a long while.
It was a real ornament for the Hellenic Navy and I had the opportunity to visit it and see by myself the technological faultlessness of this significant asset of our Navy, and our country, in a period when security at sea is a matter of priority.
As far as the submarines are concerned – because many things were said earlier – I would like to tell you that at this moment nine submarines are in operational readiness and, if need be, they can ensure fully our country’s supremacy at sea, not only in the Aegean Sea, but in the Eastern Mediterranean as well. Therefore, things which do not reflect reality should not be said here.
Our country’s defence system, above and beyond the financial crisis, remains at a high level and this is due to the tireless efforts of our Armed Forces’ personnel, as well as to the manner in which we administer the Defence. Yet, it is one of our comparative advantages in the geopolitical developments in the wider area.
When I took office, for the first time, as Defence Minister, I asked the Chief of the Hellenic Navy back then to brief me on this matter, that is on the delay of building the submarines, so as to possess all the necessary data which would allow me to make the decisions I had to.
The Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, in a notice dated from December 9, 2011 to Papadimos’ government, expressed the following estimations:
That the delivery of those four submarines to the Hellenic Navy was operational requirement.
That in case the contractor terminates the contracts, the delivery of the submarines to the Hellenic Navy becomes extremely difficult.
In case of a contract termination new credits will be required for the execution of works which remain unaccomplished.
I still believe what I had also said in my answer to the topical question raised by the Leader of the Official Opposition on October 17.
The shipyards’ issue must be solved immediately through fundamental and transparent approaches and solutions.
This is the reason why today I separate it from the general issue of the shipyards as Defence Minister, under the currently formed circumstances.
And I also pay a huge attention, vital if I may say, to the issue of the employees, and I have proved it actively during my previous and current services in the Ministry of National Defence.
It is self-evident that all these matters are related, because the completion of the submarines will also solve the issue of the employees.
The problem of these people who have no job and salary today, just before Christmas, and they keep – assisted also by the state when needed – safeguarding and protecting the submarines, these special and significant property assets of the Greek people and nation and, generally, keep the shipyards “open”, when – and this should be noted – their very owners closed them.
This is something, of course, that makes any direct communication with them about everyday matters of the shipyards difficult or even impossible and, as a result, even the less important issues which regard any aspect of their function today is difficult to be solved.
Dear colleagues,
In 2011, I personally invited Mr.Safas to Athens so that we can find a solution. We met in my office, at the Ministry of National Defence. You remember it because we had also made public statements.
I was asked to organise that meeting also by then PASOK’s Chairman in our correspondence during that period, in which as you may remember, Mr. Venizelos was Vice-President of the Government and Minister of Finance.
I have already presented this letter through the parliamentary procedure after a relevant question submitted by SYRIZA.
So, I invited Mr. Safas in my office in Athens and I asked him to proceed immediately to the execution of the works.
I made him clear that it was not possible to incur more payments without having a concrete and guaranteed timeline for the completion and delivery of the four submarines and for the construction of two new “214”-type submarines.
What matters is that he agreed with me and with my proposal to establish a joint Committee. It was a decision we announced together.
The purpose of the Committee was to find out a solution for the connection of payments with the accomplishment of the works, which would enable tranches to be paid under new terms which required the amendment of 2010’s Law.
This Committee was established and assembled twice. Then, the shipyards’ representatives unilaterally withdrew stating that «the agreement of 2010 is not respected”. That is, the payment of tranches “is not performed”, regardless whether the works were accomplished or not.
This was something that, however, Mr.Safas had accepted in our meeting. Because this was exactly the main subject of the Committee which was established and would inevitably result, as I stated before, in an amendment of the Law 3885/2010.
Dear Colleagues,
In both periods during which I was and I am in charge of the Ministry of National Defence, since 2011 and on, I make efforts which focus on two points:
a. the protection of public money, and
b. The delivery and operation of the four submarines which are at the stage of final tests in Skaramagas.
When in June 2013 I returned to the Ministry of National Defence, I found out that the shipyards were still not functioning.
Yet, they had appealed to the International Criminal Court against the Greek state and the German companies, whereas the efforts made between representatives of the Greek state and of HSY did not reach any conclusions.
In brief, they were also at an institutional dead end.
Therefore, important questions are raised and they must concern us today too. Thus, we will not lose the point and the goal which I mentioned at first and, as I believe, is the common goal of all of us in this room.
We should not exhaust our efforts in non-concluding discussions, debates which will not lead us anywhere.
Therefore, we face the following questions:
Question 1: Is there a problem with the execution of this agreement?
Answer: Yes, there really is a huge problem.
Because we face a private investor whose behaviour does not comply with the contract. And he appeared once and was amiably accepted by some people; with his documents, promises and capabilities to solve the problem of the shipyards and lead this so crucial for our country industry to growth.
It is true that at that time there was no other solution than beginning a new period for the shipyards issue.
This is what the Law 3885/2010 aimed at and it is true that it inaugurated a new chapter.
Its application though has faced many difficulties related also to the employer of the shipyards not acting in compliance with its commitments.
So, instead of drawing a common policy among parties to face the really responsible for the problem, we attempt, through the proposal to establish a Committee of Inquiry into specific actions, to become ourselves part of the problem, to the great satisfaction of those who are really responsible, that is the owners of the shipyards.
Question 2: Should we turn against the adverse party of the Greek state, of the Greek public sector, the owner of the shipyards, in order to defend the property of the state and its fiscal and defence interests? Immediately? Without any delay, if every effort to find a solution with them does not bring any results?
Answer: Undoubtedly, yes. We all agree upon that.
Question 3: Should we discuss about the present and future of our country’s defence industry?
Undoubtedly, the answer is yes.
Question 4: Should we protect the employment in this sector?
Definitely, yes.
Question 5: Shall the Inquiry Committee that the Parliament asks for today will respond positively to these important issues?
Answer: Of course, no.
Dear colleagues,
There are capabilities and procedures we may discuss and conduct a political debate in the Parliament without trying to polarise a negative development.
Furthermore, the Hellenic Justice has issued and still issues a series of condemning decisions against those who really caused the problem.
This discussion therefore has no point at all at this time, since we all in this room have condemned those who are responsible and – this is important – we approve the decisions of the Justice!
And let’s not forget that Justice still continues its investigation over the whole period until today.
And nothing will stop it.
And to be honest justice in my opinion is better done than Justice than by the Parliament.
We know it. We know all this.
I suggest we leave party strategies aside.
Because this matter is so serious, so costly, so necessary for our national defence that we should not take any advantage of it.
And, mostly, at this period that the Ministry of National Defence fought and keeps fighting its battle to save our defence industry which, as I recently stated before you, is a matter that we, in the Ministry of National Defence, “took upon ourselves”.
And we were vindicated after the successful conclusion of the negotiations in which I participated at a crucial moment and I saw by myself the difficulties we face.
There were difficulties that the Alternate Minister, Mrs. Gennimata, faced successfully along with the political leadership of the Ministry of National Defence. It was a true achievement of the Greek government and the Greek Prime Minister who raised this issue imperatively and decisively to the College of the European Commission in Brussels.
And one more thing:
In a few days from now, Greece will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The European Council will meet tomorrow in Brussels to discuss mainly the reinforcement of the European Defence industry, through the enhancement of medium- and small-sized enterprises, such as Greek enterprises, which the Prime Minister Antonis Samaras will support in order to protect the Greek defence industry.
This is a position which was publicised in all manners, to all EU institutions and to the European Defence Agency.
And, dear colleagues, we all here have a common concept of defending our public interest and our national integrity and our country’s sovereignty.
None of us loves our country more or less than the others.
So, in the Standing Committee on National Defense and Foreign Affairs of the Parliament, we will soon have to discuss again a total final solution for the submarines issue which will be understood and accepted by all of us.
This is my commitment before the Parliament.
Yet, every final decision will be forwarded to the Plenary Session for ratification and for the Parliament’s approval and signature, after having been approved by the competent Committee on Armaments and the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence.
This is another commitment I assume before you.
In the meantime, the Ministry of National Defence under my orders is at the final stage of processing all evidence against the Shipyards and their property. And it has also started the procedure for a judicial claim of Greek state’s demands against the HSY.
In cooperation with the Hellenic Navy General Staff, a plan has been drafted for the taking delivery of the submarines, after the amounts, which are required for repairing the damages caused to the submarines due to the owners’ withdrawal from the Shipyards, are previously confirmed and recorded.
It will be applied immediately in the next days if efforts currently made fail.
Our government, Samaras’ government, is fully aware of this matter.
This is why it seeks for a solution; an immediate solution.
The Prime Minister himself demonstrated a personal interest for this matter which was unfortunately inherited by the past.
This is what we all wish.
This is what – I am sure of it – all party leaders and all members of parliament wish.
The main purpose of us all is to defend our national interests, to protect our public interests and, of course, to reinforce our country’s defence system.
This is why, dear colleagues, I believe that this proposal to establish an Inquiry Committee at this time is not really made to help our defence; and this is why our party and the government will not support it.
Thank you very much».