The Minister of National Defence Panos Kammenos, accompanied by the Chief of HNDGS Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis, the Chief of HNGS Vice Admiral Nikolaos Tsounis and the Chief of HAFGS Lieutenant General Christos Christodoulou, attended the Joint Exercise of Greece and Egypt “MEDOUSA 5” conducted at the south-east of Rhodes.

The Minister of National Defence made the following statement:

“We are attending, together with the Chiefs of General Staffs, the Chief of HNDGS, the Chief of HNGS, the Chief of HAFGS, the Chief of the Egyptian Navy and observers from the United States of America, Italy and the United Arab Emirates, the last stage of “MEDOUSA 5” exercise which has been organized by the General Staffs of National Defence of Greece and Egypt, here, on Rhodes, on the coast of Kalathos, with the participation of vessels which take part in operations on the Mediterranean Sea for the first time, such as the flagship of the Egyptian Fleet “MISTRAL”, frigates Fremm and the vessels of the fleet, combined with special forces.

A landing exercise of great participation which sends a strong message all over the Mediterranean – apart from the confirmation of the excellent relation between Greece and Egypt – for the creation of a bow of stability that gives hope to all the countries of the Mediterranean Sea, Middle East, Northern Africa and the Balkans.

Greece is upgraded and becomes the main core of these forces of stability, and Egypt, a great power, a leading power of the Arab world, with its presence here, confirms substantially the international cooperation. Combating terrorism, ensuring sea routes and achieving close cooperation in the defence of the free world, give hope to the wider region.

I would like to congratulate the Chiefs, Officers, NCOs and conscripts and National Guards of the Hellenic Armed Forces, and thank the Defence Minister of Egypt in particular, the Chiefs of General Staffs and the personnel of the Egyptian Armed Forces, as well as the friendly and allied countries, the United States of America, Italy and the Arab Emirates.

In this “MEDOUSA 5” exercise the presence of Cyprus is important too. As you know, with Egypt and Cyprus we have a trilateral committee of military cooperation which makes progress”.