The choice of the Council of Ministers to nominate Main Common Neophytos Pahoulides, from the Armored Arms, to the place of Deputy Chief of the Greek Armed Forces is taken into account significantly vital because it overturns the failed observe of the earlier many years (except for Lieutenant Common Phoebus Klokkaris), i.e. selecting Deputy Chiefs primarily based on celebration standards as an alternative precise navy and educational {qualifications}, {and professional} and management expertise.
Those that know individuals and issues contained in the EF, agree that the brand new Deputy Chief is a extremely succesful and completed officer who, having served for a few years within the Armored Forces, is distinguished by severe operational information whereas, on the identical time, he’s characterised by excessive professionalism and navy expertise, having distinguished himself in worldwide faculties and positions overseas. His evolutionary path within the EF was not the results of political interventions or political strategies, since those that know them, know that he’s utterly loyal to the navy responsibility and devoted to his official duties. Therefore the very constructive response to his appointment on the NQD, on behalf of his energetic colleagues in addition to many retired officers.
Undoubtedly, he’s, maybe, essentially the most worthy selection within the establishment of the Deputy Chief of the GEEF from the time of the late Georgios Azinas till as we speak, whereas the timing of the appointment of two extremely succesful senior officers to the place of Chief and Deputy Chief is especially promising, if one considers the vulnerability of the setting safety (Center East, Blue Homeland, occupying forces, lifeless zone, UNFICYP schemes, unlawful immigration).
His selection within the place of Deputy Chief is a private selection of President Christodoulidis who ought to obtain the suitable credit score, since not too long ago, regardless of the sturdy criticism his Authorities receives on numerous points, he has taken severe choices on vital Safety points:
• Stopping the unlawful migration flows of Syrians by sea from Lebanon via the adoption of standard patrols by vessels of the Navy and the Coastal-Maritime Police outdoors the bordering zone of Lebanon. It needs to be famous that these missions have been carried out since April till as we speak, due to the willpower of A/GEEF Lieutenant Common Georgios Tsitsikostas, and the professionalism of the crews of the ships of the Naval Administration and the Port and Maritime Police.
• The non permanent suspension of consideration of purposes for civil safety to Syrians, following the mass arrivals by sea from Lebanon and the alarming involvement of Syrians in legal or unlawful actions.
• The choice for the place of Deputy Minister of Immigration of essentially the most competent educational, authorized worldwide legislation, Dr. Nikola A. Ioannidis.
• His insistence on preserving outdated weapons techniques in service till the arrival and full operational use of the brand new weapons techniques that may change them.
• The try to professionally improve the establishment of SYOP after eight years of inactivity.
• The approval, with a supplementary finances, of an expenditure of €33 million for the extraordinary procurement of a state-of-the-art weapon system.
The dealing with of significant Safety points because of the private curiosity of the president himself should, by all means, proceed. If his pre-election dedication to spending 2% of GDP for Protection Armor (tools) functions is applied, then the recognition of the Authorities – which is suffering from numerous points – will enhance considerably, because the Protection of the semi-occupied nation remains to be thought of significantly vital by a big a part of Cypriot Hellenism.
Academician, geopolitical, protection and safety analyst
