The Minister of National Defence Mr. Alkiviadis Stefanis participated in the Conference for the Antiaircraft and Ballistic Missile Defence of Europe and in the International Exhibition of Aeronautical Engineering in Paris, on 19-20 June 2023. He also had a bilateral meeting with his French counterpart Mr. Sébastien Lecornu.
The Minister of National Defence, during his intervention in the Conference, pointed out that a comprehensive approach of the European antiaircraft and ballistic missile defence is required, in an environment of developing threats and sources of possible challenges, in order to assure Europe’s collective defence, based on a 360˚ approach, and stressed the need of reinforcing the Allies and partners deterrence force.
Mr. Stefanis pointed out that Europe must focus on the antiballistic missile defence and invest on improved sensors, faster response times and advanced interception technologies for the effective countering of the threat.
In this context, the Minister projected the crucial contribution of the Alliance’s Centre of Excellence of Integrated Antiaircraft and Ballistic Missile Defence (IAMD/CoE) in Chania, which is a reference point in the Air Defence sector.
Mr. Stefanis highlighted the important contribution of the Centre in maintaining the technological advantage of the Alliance in the crucial sector of the Antiaircraft and Ballistic Missile Defence, as well as the promotion and assurance of stability in NATO’s southeast flank, along with other structures of the Alliance in Crete.
At the same time, he stressed that Greece participates with troops and personnel in Allied and European missions of air policing, surveillance and reconnaissance, actively contributing to the preservation of peace and stability in the region.
Furthermore, the Minister of National Defence pointed out that it is essential to promote synergies and collective investments of EU ms for the establishment of a powerful and resilient system of Integrated Antiaircraft and Ballistic Missile Defence (IAMD), so that Europe promotes its autonomy, exploiting its technological advantages and reducing the strategic dependencies, as it was agreed on the EU Strategic Compass.
The Conference was attended by Defence Ministers of EU and NATO countries and high officials of the two Organisations. It is highlighted that the French President Mr. Emmanuel Macron made an address in the Conference.
The Minister of National Defence also had a bilateral meeting with the French Defence Minister Mr. Sébastien Lecornu, during which matters of the strategic defence relation of Greece and France were discussed, and a strong will for its further strengthening was expressed.
The Minister Mr. Stefanis is also visiting the International Exhibition of Aeronautical Engineering in Le Bourget, and has meetings with the Defence Industry representatives.
