The Minister of National Defence Evangelos Apostolakis, accompanied by the Chief of HNDGS General Christos Christodoulou and the Chief of HAGS Lieutenant General Georgios Kambas, visited on Holy Wednesday 24 April 2019 the Hellenic Force Kosovo in Pristina, where he met with its Commander and personnel, with whom he discussed and exchanged wishes in view of the Easter Holidays.

Moreover, the Minister met with the Head of Liaison Office in Pristina, Ambassador Chryssoula Aliferi, the Head of the European Union Rule of Law Mission-EULEX in Kosovo, Ambassador Alexandra Papadopoulou and the Commander of KFOR, Major General Lorenzo D’ Addario Italian Army, discussing matters of mutual interest.

The address of the Minister to the personnel of the Hellenic Force Kosovo is the following:

“It is with great pleasure that I managed to be among toy today, on such a Holy occasion. I am well aware of the fact that you would all wish to be at your homes, with your families, Easter in Greece would be ideal, yet due to our obligations and missions, someone needs to be present at the mission and do the work you are doing here.

The impression I have is that you are perfect at doing your job here. Your presence here represents Greece perfectly and conveys the quality and character of the Hellenic Army, and the love you show when assuming a mission; you know how to communicate the Greek spirit, the fact that we are a country which fights for peace and security and tries its best towards this direction.

The problems we currently face in this region render the need for the KFOR’s presence even more solemn. Therefore, as you can understand, we confirm that this Force needs to exist and execute its mission, until the problems in this region are resolved.

Greece is no longer a nation which acts passively, waiting in Athens for the developments and perspectives to be formed by themselves. It has assumed the reins. It has a national presence and a critical intervention and synergy to the events of international politics, at least in the broader area. We believe that the completion of the Prespes Agreement offers new perspectives, even to this country, as a new prospect emerges, giving hope that there are ways, other that military operations, to resolve the problems that have been perpetuated for several years.

As you are all aware of, currently we are moving towards the direction of assuming whatever might be necessary for the military support of the new country, North Macedonia as it has been named. We have displaced a great deal of the activity of our neighbours, who had assumed this task. We move very fast and, of course, the greatest part of this support will be assumed by the Armed Forces and particularly the Army, since it is a land country.

We need to realise one thing; at least the Armed Forces, notwithstanding our view on some matters. We are soldiers and we are an organised part of the Government, of any Government. Therefore, we are obliged to support whatever has been decided by the country and the Government and seen as profitable for our Nation, whether we agree, or disagree or have a different view. This is how we shall conduct ourselves, and we are not compelled, nor forced to do so; we only do it because we are soldiers and this is how we have learned to behave.

I believe that I should not say more on this matter; however, many have been said and heard, and much venom has been spilled for this case, we have been divided to patriots and less patriots, though such things do not exist, there are no Greeks who do not love Greece, there in no one who doesn’t want what is best for this country. Some express it vividly, some others express it less vividly. What is important here is that we are all here to defend and support Greece’s interests, whichever may they be. So, personal views and strange theories have no place here.

I would like to assure you that the Ministry of National Defence and the Government do whatever is necessary to ensure the battle-worthiness of our Armed Forces and to promote Greece’s role as a pillar of stability and security in the area. We will carry on doing so.

During the last years, military diplomacy has been at the front line, paving the way. Since the military communities communicate more easily, they have a clearer and more straightforward language, the subject is very technical and can be defined, we prepare the ground for diplomats and the development of relations. Therefore, your role is more than military, especially here; each and every one of you is Greece’s ambassador.

This is why I would like to congratulate you; for the reason that you perform this task in the best possible way. Where do we know that from? From the fact that we only hear positive remarks from the people who are here, concerning your conduct and the way you cooperate with others, as well as from the statements we hear from local communities. This is excellent input on your quality and professionalism.

I wouldn’t want to further tire you out; I would like to wish you all health, happy Holidays, Kali Anastasi and next year, may you be with your families at home. Many happy returns to your families as well, Kali Anastasi. Carry on your task and serve your country in the same way.

Thank you very much”.