The Minister of National Defence Mr. Dimitris Avramopoulos attended today, January 12 2012, the NATO Land Component Command Handover-Takeover ceremony of the NATO Response Force (NRF 2012), which took place at the NDC-GR Headquarters in Thessaloniki.

After the ceremony, Mr. Avramopoulos made the following statement:

“Today, here in Thessaloniki, the Command of the NATO Response Force was handed over to a Greek General. At the same time, foreign Generals and officers were recognised and rendered the honour they deserved, since all this time, in cooperation with the Hellenic Armed Forces, they have contributed to our mutual concern. Peace, security and stability in the region.

From this ceremony, full of symbolisms, something special and important is brought out. The high level of credibility, the effectiveness and the professionalism of the Hellenic Armed Forces.

It should be noted here that it is the first time the Hellenic Headquarters assume this high mission. I would like to publicly express the praise and recognition of the State to the Hellenic Armed Forces, their leadership and the military personnel of all branches and grades staffing the HQ, for their excellent level.

As we all know, our participation in NATO is relevant to its new mission that is subordinate to the United Nations Organization and International Law. Our country, being a member of the North-Atlantic Alliance, is traditionally driven by noble senses, such as to serve democracy, security, calm and to promote cooperation and understanding among all the peoples of the world, and particularly the peoples of our broader region.

You can understand that today we all feel very proud due to the fact that such a mission, that is to say the conservation of understanding, security and stability in this area, and not only, is entrusted to the Hellenic Headquarters”.