Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-06-16
CONTENTS
[01] KYSEA cuts military service, arms spending
[01] KYSEA cuts military service, arms spending
The government council for foreign affairs and defence (KYSEA) that met
Tuesday chaired by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis approved the
reduction of mandatory military service in the ground forces to nine
months as well as armaments' spending cuts.
Speaking after the meeting, National Defence Minister Evangelos
Meimarakis stated that the funds saved in 2010 will amount to 15 pct
whereas for the next 4 years they will reach 10 pct per year, adding
that they could be used in other social actions planned by the national
economy and finance ministry.
As regards the reduction of mandatory military service in the ground
forces, Meimarakis stated that the measure would go into effect for all
those presenting themselves in August. Shorter reductions will go into
effect for those that presented themselves for military service earlier
in 2009. Specifically, those who began their national military service
last February will serve 11 months in total, while those that began in
May will serve 10 months.
Previously, the length of mandatory military service had been exactly
one year.
KYSEA was also briefed by the defence minister and the Chief of the
National Defence General Staff on the new structure of the NATO forces
and the Larissa headquarters.
Earlier, the prime minister had a separate meeting with Foreign
Minister Dora Bakoyannis.
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