The Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos was awarded the “2021 AHEPA Pericles Award” by the “American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association – AHEPA”, on Monday 26 July 2021, in the context of the association’s 99th Supreme Convention which is held in Athens.
This special event was held at the War Museum, in the presence of the Ambassador of the USA Mr. Geoffrey Pyatt, the Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff General Konstantinos Floros, the Supreme President of AHEPA George G. Horiates and the Chairman of the Administrative Council of the War Museum Mr. Anastasios Liaskos.
It was also attended by the Chief of HAFGS Lieutenant General Georgios Blioumis, the Chief of HAGS Lieutenant General Charalambos Lalousis, the Chief of HNGS Vice Admiral Stylianos Petrakis, personnel of the Armed Forces, as well as the members of the administrative board of AHEPA.
In his address, the Minister of National Defence stated the following:
“Supreme President Giorgos Choriatis,
Honourable Ambassador of the United States, my friend Geoffrey Pyatt,
Distinguished Chief of HNDGS General Floros,
Distinguished Chiefs of the General Staffs of the Army, the Air Force and the Navy,
Distinguished officers of the Hellenic Armed Forces,
Distinguished members of the AHEPA family,
Honourable president of the War Museum,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would never have imagined, two years ago when I joined the AHEPA family, as a member of Chapter 30 up in the beautiful island in the north of the Aegean, the island of Thasos, that I would live this day. But life has a way of leading you to some very interesting paths, so here I am rejoicing and cherishing, humble and proud at the same time for this tremendous honour bestowed upon me. So, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for presenting me with the Pericles award. I am extremely honoured to receive this award from AHEPA on this very important occasion of your 99th Supreme Convention in Athens Greece, where democracy was born, in the Golden Age of none other than Pericles.
This year is a milestone which marks 200 years since the Revolution of 1821. All Greeks all over the world pay tribute to the heroes of 21 and their struggle for the freedom and independence of our Homeland. 200 years ago, Greeks from around the world and the Motherland united, seeking freedom and independence. We too are also bound by the efforts of our ancestors to stay the path and promote our national interests against all threats and all enemies. In our War for Independence our heroes were not alone. They had the support of the Hellenes abroad, not to mention the Philhellenes, who helped them with all their power strength and means, in order to achieve the liberation of our country from the Ottoman rule. So, in the efforts we are conducting today we feel we should not be alone as well and we are counting on your invaluable support. Because the greatest strength of Greece, in my humble view, is Hellenism and the greatest reference point, the greatest asset of Hellenism is all the Hellenes, the Greeks of the Diaspora. That means all of you. Especially my AHEPA brothers and sisters.
So, we honour the pioneers as well as all the members of AHEPA, who through numerous events, conferences and other initiatives are passing on to the younger generations of Greeks abroad, the infinite wealth of our language, our rich culture, our heritage and our history. Today, Greece looks into the future while continuing to be a pillar of stability, security and peace in Southeastern Europe and the Eastern Med.
Today as in 1821, Greeks all over the world united, working hard to promote our national interests and deal effectively with any threat against our country. Now, I wish all the members of the AHEPA prosperity and success in any of your high goals. May you continue your brilliant work with the same enthusiasm, love and dedication, to the tremendous benefit of Hellenism and our values.
Allow me one final word coming straight from the heart.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
this is not about me personally; this tremendous accolade you honoured me with tonight. It is rather an acknowledgement of the extraordinary efforts of the Ministry of Defence, its political leadership, its military leadership, the leadership of the Armed Forces, as well as all the men and women of the Hellenic Armed Forces.
We are engaged in a very committed and ongoing effort to defend and protect the sovereign rights of Greece in difficult times. In times of unprecedented threats and challenges, multiple and complex, and we are really giving it our all, in trying to make this pass. And I think to a certain extent, we have proven it thus far. It does not end here. The effort goes on. The effort to upgrade the overall capability of our Armed Forces is a constant effort.
We made it happen faster, because we are compelled by the circumstance to make it happen fast.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
during my first speech in the Parliament as Minister of Defence of the Hellenic Republic, under the New Democracy Government and according to the instructions of the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, I stated that the Hellenic Armed Forces are the Sword of Greece. “Η Κόψη του Σπαθιού η Τρομερή” (the fearsome sharpness of the sword). That is what I said at the Parliament. And I truly believe that. Our sacred duty and our wholesome effort aims at keeping that precious sword sharp and bright at the same time.
This is what we are about at the Ministry of Defence, this is about the men and women of the Armed Forces, this is about Greece. Strong and proud and peaceful but fierce and resilient, at the same time that it strives not to give in to its geographic fate, but rather shape it into the new era.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
