In remarks on April 29, Venizelos said the defense budget cuts would not
harm Greek security. He said the proposed 25 percent reduction in 2010 would
not affect the military balance between Greece and its rival and neighbor
Turkey.
"That is a colossal amount, reaching the margin of our operating needs,"
Venizelos said.
Venizelos said the the new cut was double of that stipulated in the
original budget for this year. He said the reduction would not affect
Greece's project to modernize the military, which he said would include a
procurement budget of 2.3 billion euro.
Officials said the Defense Ministry and military would conduct a
strategic review in June 2010. They said Athens plans to discuss the Greek
defense cut with Turkey.
We are reducing operating costs," Venizelos said. "We are not doing this
because of economic pressure. We are doing this because this is mandated by
the modern views of military planning."
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan plans to visit Athens in May.
Ankara has already ruled out a significant defense budget cut amid its
longtime border dispute with Greece.