Dimitris Vitsas

Greece’s Alternate Minister for National Defence Dimitris Vitsas admitted that the borders between Greece and its neighbouring countries in the north would not open, in an interview on Mega TV, Thursday morning.

The situation regarding the refugee issue continues to being chaotic with Greek government insisting that it will seek for an official diplomatic solution in cooperation with FYROM regarding the refugees who entered the neighboring country illegally.

The refugee crisis on the northern borders between Greece and FYROM is exposing the incompetence of the Greek government on the handling of the matter. The latest developments reveal a new twist on the 700 refugees that had crossed into the territory of FYROM from the Greek side Monday.

Greece’s Deputy Defence Minister Dimitris Vitsas confessed that most of the refugees currently trapped in Greece would stay in the country up to 2 years, in an interview to newspaper Financial Times.

Greece has increased efforts to move thousands of migrants near the border with Macedonia to sheltered camps, as the spread of infection became a concern with one person in a sprawling tent city diagnosed with Hepatitis A. 

The wreckage from the missing helicopter of Hellenic Navy was found at the islet of Kinaros on Thursday morning which had been missing since 2:45 am.

The two pilots and the radar operator who were on the helicopter have been officially declared missing. However, shortly after 11:00 authorities found one body.

The Greek government decided to ask the help of the Hellenic Armed Forces in order to complete in 15 days all the actions required so as to comply with its commitments on the refugee issue following the 3-month deadline EU has given to Greece.

Deputy Defense Minister Dimitris Vitsas confirmed what Proto Thema news agency revealed regarding the purchase of ten used Chinook transport helicopters from US army stock for 120 million dollars.

Defence Minister Panos Kammenos told private ANT1 TV on Monday that there is no possibility that Greece would participate in military interventions against ISIS target in Syria.

“Greece’s role as a guarantor of stability in the wider region is more important,” he underlined.

The Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) is readying its new government following the party’s recent election triumph – for the second time this year after its first election win on January 25.