THE NIKIFOROS military exercises will take place as scheduled for the first time since 2001, Defence Minister Koullis Mavronikolas has confirmed.
The official announcement came after the visit of Greek Defence Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos last weekend.
There have been reports that the Greek exercise Toxotis – usually held with Nikiforos – would not be taking place this year. Speaking yesterday Greek embassy spokesman Constantinos Kolias would not confirm this – limiting himself to a “no comment”.
Asked on Greece’s opinion of the decision to go ahead with Nikiforos, Kolias merely said: “The embassy has nothing to say on the matter. Anything related to the subject will be officially announced.”
Rumours of the Greek Navy and Air force providing Cyprus with ships and aircrafts for the exercise have yet to be confirmed.
Defence Military spokesman Giannos Patsalides told the Cyprus Mail yesterday that it was still unknown whether this would be the case. “We don’t know whether Greece will participate; we’ll see along the way.”
According to Politis, Nicosia had asked Spiliotopoulos to consider the possibility of providing the Cyprus National Guard with Greek ships and aircrafts so that the Nikiforos could be executed with more realism.
But Patsalides said the Greek government had yet to respond to Cyprus’ request.
Patsalides said the National Guard had already sent out the personal invitation leaflets to the reserves that will be taking part in Nikiforos.
He said the Ministry would reject applications for exemption, unless there were very serious reasons behind them.
The exercise, in which all formations will take part, has already been planned out.
All that remains is to decide on the final stage of it, which is most possibly going to take place in Kalo Chorio.
Meanwhile, consultants S.Platis Economic Research have researched the proposal to slash national service made by DISY Vice President and former defence minister Socratis Hasikos, saying it would benefit the Cyprus economy to the tune of £270 million over a 10-year period.
In his proposal, Hasikos suggests that 2,500 professional contract soldiers be enlisted, military service be reduced to 14 months and the number of reserves reduced from 90,000 to 30,000.
