On Monday, 28 November 2022, the Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos attended the Awards of Sustainable Innovation & Responsible Entrepreneurship, organised by the Athens Chamber of Tradesmen at “Stavros Niarchos” Foundation Cultural Center.

Once the presentation of awards to businesses was concluded, Mr. Panagiotopoulos, along with the President of the Athens Chamber of Tradesmen, Mr. Ioannis Chatzitheodosiou, presented a special honorary award to HAFGS/Chief Lieutenant General Themistoklis Bourolias for the contribution of the Hellenic Air Force to society.

The event was also attended by Ministers, MPs and political parties and Self-Administration representatives. Business associations’ representatives, presidents and members of chambers’ boards, as well as of agencies and social partners were also present.

In his short address, the Minister of National Defence pointed out:

“Ladies and gentlemen,

I would first like to thank the President of the Athens Chamber of Tradesmen for the joy and honour to present an award here today, in the context of this event, to an extraordinary Greek officer and worthy Chief of the Hellenic Air Force, Mr. Bourolias. At the same time, I would like to point out that this award presented to him personally is an honour to all the members of the Armed Forces, most certainly of the Air Force, for their services.

Because in adverse times, full of geopolitical tensions, successive crises, uncertainties and insecurities, security obtains an added value. The protection of this good is a very difficult case, as is entrepreneurship during this time period. You know this better than me. The Supply Chain and its problems, the problem of infrastructure instability, of prices fluctuation in raw materials constitute a difficult case for entrepreneurs. However, in order to operate a business in hard times this sense of security is still a prerequisite; a prerequisite, I would say, for the free existence of the very financial activity and extroversion, which is necessary in business.

This is the point where the Armed Forces appear in the equation. They are the factor which protects this value. Especially for the Hellenic Air Force, I think that during these hard times, things went well and they are going even better. Within almost three years, the Hellenic Air Force ensured the ongoing support, maintenance, but also the upgrade of the available assets. It proceeded to the acquisition of new flying assets with a quick pace, unusually quick, at least for the Greek and not only standards, regarding the “Rafale” under delivery these days, which are added into the available fleet. It moreover ensured the future of the Air Force Cadets’ training with the establishment of a super modern training center in Kalamata, through a strategic agreement with Israel. It finally entered a new phase with the fifth generation aircraft, with the country’s participation in the acquisition program, in the future, of F-35 aircraft. So, things went well for the Hellenic Air Force.

The Hellenic Air Force really deserves to keep its standards, its level, as one of the best Air Forces in the world, and the personnel who fulfil this mission, this job, are really worthy of praise and congratulations. Our job as Political Leadership of the Ministry is simply to ensure the conditions so that they are doing a good job; nothing more than that. That is why we keep an intensive pace and measurable – I believe, in difficult times – results for three years now.

So, congratulations to the Hellenic Air Force. Chief, on behalf of all members of the Hellenic Air Force and the other Services of the Armed Forces – because things have been done and are still being done for them too – deserve to be congratulated upon. You ensure the deterring power of the country, you make the Greek women and men feel safe and proud of course.

So, Chief, continue, as I like to say, spreading your “wings” and weapons over the Aegean, the State, Greece, so that we enjoy the valuable good of security, but let entrepreneurship do its job without obstacles.

Congratulations to you, congratulations to all award winners.

Thank you”.