The President of the Hellenic Republic Mr. Karolos Papoulias visited today the Ministry of National Defence.

Welcoming the President of the Hellenic Republic, the Minister of National Defence Mr. Dimitris Avramopoulos made the following statement:

“Mister President,

It is with feelings of honour and respect that we welcome you today in the Ministry of National Defence. On behalf of the political and military leadership, I would like to thank you for accepting our invitation.

Your visit takes place at a very critical moment of modern Hellenic history and is accompanied by a decision you made, that touched us and sent a message to Hellenic society at these difficult times.

On behalf of the political and military leadership, we assure you that our national defence system operates perfectly, with high morale and having fully realized the National duty, and that – despite the financial coincidence – the Greek citizens can feel safe and secure. The country’s integrity is not threatened.

Thank you for being here with us”.

Afterwards, a briefing by the military and political leadership took place, on all issues concerning the country’s Armed Forces. Following a meeting at the Minister’s office, the President of the Hellenic Republic made the following statement:

“I would like to thank the political leadership, specifically Mr. Minister and the military leadership of the Armed Forces, for the warm welcome and the hospitable lunch that will be held.

A complete and deep briefing was presented to me by the military leadership, on matters concerning the country’s Defence. I have discovered that the level of the Hellenic Armed Forces, their morale as well as their professionalism, are at a very high level, and I also believe that they are a deterring factor for all those thinking of something against our country, against Greece’s territorial integrity.

Of course, the Armed Forces are a part of our society, a part of our people, and also suffer like victims -I could say- of the great financial crisis. My hope is that, with an effort by all of us, we shall overcome this crisis and get to the other side. And then I think that the time will come to satisfy all the justified requests of the Armed Forces.

Once more, I would like to thank you all for this important day and for the delight I have felt in the Ministry of National Defence”.