The Minister of National Defence Dimitris Avramopoulos attended today the celebration of the Patron Saint of the Hellenic Navy Saint Nikolaos, which took place at the Hellenic Naval Academy in Piraeus.

The ceremony was also attended by the 1st Deputy Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Ioannis Tragakis, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Michail Kostarakos, the Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff, Lieutenant General Athanassios Tselios, the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis and the Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Lieutenant General (AF) Evangelos Tournas.

In the speech he addressed, Mr. Avramopoulos stressed out among other things:

“It is a special joy to share with you today the high symbolism of the celebration day of Saint Nikolaos, Patron Saint of the Greek naval world. I am certain that today, in all corners of our country, on every island, but also all over the world, our seagoing ships carry the message of Greece, a country with strength and valour. I refer to our shipping and the holy customs of a great tradition by Greek marines, as well as to the great honour this day brings to our Hellenic Navy, for which we are all very proud.

Today, with this humble, yet full of symbolisms, celebration, we send a message of respect, recognition and honour to our Navy.

The political leadership of the Ministry of National Defence and the Government, always in cooperation with the military leadership, we have lately fallen upon the issues concerning our Hellenic Navy, and not only, with great interest.

The plans we have designed will give new capabilities to the Hellenic Navy, preserving its already existing structures, but also developing initiatives in the name of missions assigned to us by the international community, international organisations and the European Union.

This moment we speak, Greek marines, officers, NCOs and seamen are at various places all over the world.  

To all those, who are absent today from this celebration, but also to all the historic holdovers of this long-lasting tradition, we send a message of respect and recognition.

Many happy returns to everyone, on the occasion of the day”.