The Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr Nikolaos Chardalias today, Tuesday 7 December 2021, declared the commencement of the proceedings of the International Crisis Management Conference “ATHENA 21”, titled “Threats and Challenges in the Unstable Geopolitical Environment of the Eastern Mediterranean. Strategies of Holistic Approach to Counter them”.
The Conference, hosted by the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS) and under the aegis of the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence (HMoND), is conducted on 7 and 8 December 2021, in the amphitheatre of the Hellenic Air Force Academy, at the Dekeleia Air Base. The participants are civilian and military personnel of the highest and higher rank, representatives of states, International Organisations (NATO, UN, EU), as well as members of authorities, bodies and education institutions.
At the commencement of the proceedings, addresses were delivered by the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Mr Konstantinos Tasoulas, the Chief of HNDGS General Konstantinos Floros and the General Director of the National Defence Policy and International Relations Directorate Dr Konstantinos Balomenos.
Other attendants were His Reverence the Metropolitan Bishop of Ilion, Acharnes and Petroupoli Mr Athinagoras as representative of His Beatitude the Archbishop of Athens and All of Greece, the Deputy Minister of Education and Religious Affairs Mr Angelos Syrigos, the Vice-President of the European Commission Mr Margaritis Schinas, Ambassadors and Defence Attachés of foreign states in Greece, Chiefs of General Staffs of the Armed and Security Forces, the Chief of the National Guard General Staff Lieutenant General Dimokritos Zervakis, as well as representatives of Chiefs of the Armed Forces of other countries.
You can read the opening address the Deputy Minister of National Defence delivered at the Conference, below:
“It is a great honour to welcome you to the International Crisis Management Conference “ATHENA 21”, taking place here in the Amphitheatre of the Hellenic Air Force Academy “1st Lieutenant NIKOLAOS SIALMAS”. The “ATHENA” Conference has become an institution of the Ministry of National Defence and the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, since it constitutes an international forum of constructive discussions and exchange of views on issues of crises management.
The aim of the Conference is to provide valuable lessons deduced from threats and challenges against the international security, focused on the geopolitical environment of the Eastern Mediterranean. Furthermore, the Conference examines the perspective of a closer cooperation between states and the International Community, aiming to bring out ways of managing the increasing crises.
Current challenges in the constantly changing environment of the Eastern Mediterranean require the assertive countering of rising threats, based on the active participation of civilian and military bodies, so as to secure the country’s capacity to respond to security threats at all levels.
Our main concern for the participants is the establishment of a climate of trust, cooperation, mutual support and interoperability between the member-states of NATO and EU. Furthermore, we wish to achieve the same for the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean, transmitting the proper messages to the actors aiming for the establishment of an environment of instability, insecurity and disputing of the effectiveness of the national and international mechanisms.
From my experience as the Deputy Minister of Civil Protection and Crises Management during the extremely difficult period of fires of 21 August, I must stress that, from the first moment we had to face an extremely challenging situation, which was unprecedented in terms of fires’ succession. From 1 to 8 August we had to face a total of 586 fires, dispersed throughout the Greek territory. Furthermore, everyday we had to face a three-digit number of fires, while we were managing fifty-two air assets which were operating simultaneously, for their extinguishment. That was a new threat for Civil Protection and the corresponding Ministry.
Based on our social and environmental agenda, we immediately responded to the challenge, taking the initiative to restitute the properties and the environmental consequences, as per the instructions of the Prime Minister.
From the first moment, all the institutionally engaged parties were on the first line. The European rescue mechanism also participated directly and actively, responding to our immediate call. We were not only proud, but also thankful for the response of all those forces which were at our side without any delay. Our cooperation with the Armed Forces was exquisite and direct, at all levels, and particularly in the issue of evacuations, where they acted with professionalism, in close cooperation with the Port Authority.
We could further examine a very possible scenario, according to which all of the above would coincide with actions against our country, conducted by a neighbouring country, which, instrumentalising the refugee flows, aims to achieve the escalation of the crisis. This situation could occur during the February – March period in Northern Greece, at Evros River, during that crisis.
So, it is clear that every country acts based on a plan founded on specific resources, assets and personnel, while the needs that may arise are multiple. Thus, the mode of reaction includes multiple dilemmas, quick decisions and the optimal order of actions as well as the utilisation of lessons.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The level of participation of the national and international civilian and military representatives at the “ATHENA 21” Conference demonstrates the added value and the interest for the more recent innovations and optimal solutions adopted in the field of Crisis Management.
I would like to thank all the exceptional speakers and participants.
Finally, firmly believing that this Conference will be an absolute success, at this point I am declaring the commencement of the International Crisis Management Conference “ATHENA 21”.
Thank you”.
