“Today we are attending the last day of “INIOCHOS 2018” exercise. Year by year, “INIOCHOS” exercise becomes wider, with more participants, more countries, more aircraft and it actually turns into one of the most significant exercises worldwide.

Perhaps, it is the first time we see countries from all around the Mediterranean Sea, apart from the allied countries of European Union and NATO, participating in an exercise. Greece has established very strong bilateral defence relations with them and will continue to enhance them.

Together we are building this great axis of stability, northwards, with the Balkan countries, Bulgaria and Romania, southwards with the countries of the Middle East, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan etc.

I would like to congratulate the personnel of the Hellenic Air Force, the leadership, the Officers, NCOs and Seamen for the excellent organization of this Exercise. I would like to thank the Hellenic National Defence General Staff in particular, which was responsible for the coordination, as well as the Hellenic Army and Hellenic Navy General Staffs for the coordination in this Exercise which proved that Greece – taking also these particular weather conditions into account – can become a point of reference for military air training.

This is our objective. I hope that very soon we will be able to announce the establishment of the greatest air force training centre in Peloponnese which will invite also Air Forces of friendly and allied countries.

I would like to thank all the participants, the Ambassadors and the media for attending this exercise”.