The visit of the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias to the Area of Responsibility of the 96th National Guard Battalions Higher Command, Chios island, was completed.
Mr. Dendias attended the full choral service held in the Metropolitan Church of Chios on the occasion of the commemoration of Saints Menas, Victor and Vincent, patron saints of Chios and he was accompanied by the Chief of HNDGS General Michail Kostarakos and the Chief of HAGS Lieutenant General Christos Manolas.
Afterwards, the Minister of National Defence attended the memorial service and laid a wreath to the monument erected to soldiers killed in the war, representing the government to the celebrations for the 102th anniversary of Chios’ liberation.
Soon after the schools’ parade and the military parade Mr. Dendias addressed the following statement to the media:
“It is a great honour for me to start my visits to the islands and the units from Chios; the tormented place that shed a lot of blood for the struggles for freedom and where many persons were born since antiquity, who still influence the global cultural heritage.
And it is an honour and pleasure for me to be here with my friend, the Deputy Minister and, until recently, close associate of mine in the Ministry of Development, Mr. Notis Mitarakis.
My visit to the 96th National Guard Battalions Higher Command coincides with the completion of 102 years since the island was liberated from the Ottoman rule, on November 11, 1912. It was on the feast of the Holy Martyrs and Patron Saints of Chios island, Menas, Victor and Vincent when the vision of several generations of the islands’ residents of the reunification with Greece came true.
The Greeks then united managed to fulfill excellent achievements in the struggles of that time.
Βut, also in general, Greece, throughout its modern history has proved that it can achieve everything with unity, unanimity and organization. Especially now, when we are going through the worst financial situation, the Greek people can become again an example for every European people.
At this critical battle, we do not need to think what we did in the past but to continue our effort so that our country wins the battle. This is the message of today, beyond any beliefs, prejudices and stereotypes.
United and peaceful, we will overcome this crisis.
We will defence our national rights with calmness of mind.
As you saw before during the parade, the defence forces of the island passed before our eyes. They are women and men who honour their mission fully, fulfill their duties and give an example to us all.
The personnel, the men and women of the Armed Forces are the valuable part of our national defence system.
Thanks to them, our country is a pillar of stability, security and peace in our region.
Congratulations and thank you very much.”
The visit of the Minister of National Defence was completed with briefings at the military outposts on Chios and Psara islands.
In the statement Mr. Dendias addressed on Psara island he stressed:
“On the occasion of my visit to heroic Psara island today, the place where one of the greatest heroes of the Revolution was born, Konstantinos Kanaris, I would like to congratulate you for the high level of your training, organisation and morale which, as I saw, the personnel of the Armed Forces have at all levels of its chain of command, from the Chief of HNDGS to the last soldier.
The national defence system is a safeguard of our National Security and also a powerful lever of deterrence of any threat. This is the conclusion from the communication and briefings I had today with the military leadership and soldiers.
These visits will go on so that we will be able to have a comprehensive image of the work in every branch and every unit of the Armed Forces.”
