The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias attended at noon the naming ceremony of the Training ship “Kyknos I” and its integration to the Hellenic Fleet, which took place at the premises of the Hellenic Navy’s Fast Attack Craft Command.
The ship is a courtesy of the President of the “Aikaterini Laskaridis” Foundation, ship-owner Mr. Panagiotis Laskaridis.
The ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Minister of National Defence Ioannis Lambropoulos, the Chief of HNDGS General Michail Kostarakos, the Chief of HNGS Vice Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis and the Chief of HAGS Lieutenant General Christos Manolas.
The ceremony was officiated by the Metropolitan of Nikaia Mr. Alexios and the ship was officially named by Aikaterini Ntoulaki-Laskaridou.
During his address, the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias underlined the following:
“First of all, we would like to express our gratitude and joy for the very kind gesture of Mr. Panagiotis Laskaridis to the Hellenic Navy, which has just been accepted during the speech of the Chief, Vice Admiral Apostolakis.
Therefore, as of today, a ship that is different from the usual is integrated to the Fleet’s force, so as to cover the training needs of the Hellenic Naval Academy. We hope that “Kyknos 1” will become a floating school, where the young officers of the Hellenic Navy will be taught seafaring.
I would like to say that we are grateful to Mr. Laskaridis for this offer. Mr. Laskaridis, as well as his family and the “Aikaterini Laskaridou” Foundation, have offered a lot to the Hellenic Navy and the Hellenic Coast Guard. I would like to remind my personal experience, the one I had with his brother, when I served at the previous Ministry, when with a great offering, he allowed the complete renovation of the capital’s centre, Syntagma Square, so that the country will be able to match the level of a civilised western country; an image the Square did not present in the past.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to say that, during this difficult circumstance for Greece, actions like those of the Laskaridis brothers are an example to be followed. They are also the continuance of a long tradition of benefactions by eminent Greek citizens to the Country. It is necessary that such initiatives are followed but, mainly, that they set the example for those who do not realise that the country, our nation, and society are above any convenience and selfishness.
I would also like to say that, despite the difficult fiscal circumstance, the government systematically works so that our national defence system will be an indisputable deterrence mechanism of any threat.
Currently, we ought to keep the effectiveness and the spirit of the Armed Forces at the ultimate level. Thanks to their professionalism and efficiency, we can guarantee peace and stability for Greek society. Ladies and gentlemen, an arc of instability, extending from Eastern Europe to the Middle East does not allow, experimentations to modern Greece.
Moreover, beyond today’s circumstance and given the chance to speak publicly, I would like to specially refer to the employees at the Shipyards of Elefsis and Skaramangas, who belong in their way to the naval family and show, through their contribution, their participation to the hope for a better tomorrow.
I want to say that the letter I received by the 600 employees at the Shipyards of Elefsis moved me personally, yet I want to tell them that, as far as me and the Ministry’s political leadership is concerned, we simply did our duty and obligation. It is an obligation of the Greek Democracy to allow them to live these holidays with dignity, attributing their accruals.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Beyond the general sentiment of justice, I believe that the Greek State is by its shipbuilding industry side. It is a great opportunity for the country. An opportunity that, on account of false by of many people – it is not yet the time to refer to that – was lost in the past. However, we have an important comparative advantage, our well trained personnel, and it will be a pity if the country and society will not be able to invest to it in the future.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I wish that “Kyknos 1” will have good seas, that the cadets to be trained will continue the Hellenic Navy’s tradition and, concluding and returning where I begun, mister Laskaridis I would like to thank you once more.
Many happy returns and happy holidays to all”.
