“Mister Minister,

Members of the Hellenic Parliament,

Admiral Pappas

Honorary Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff,

Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff,

Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff,

Hero fighters of the crew of Velos,

 It is a great and special honour for a soldier, while performing my duties as caretaker Minister of National Defence, to be present at this warm ceremony which is carried out and confirms the faith of Greeks to Democracy, to freedom and to the oaths we take at a very early age.

 Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are here today, the political and military leadership of the Armed Forces, in order to honour the leads of the anniversary for the resistant act of the HNS “Velos” crew against the regime.

These historic facts and the meaning of the anniversary were described to us by Admiral Pappas, current commander of the destroyer, very thoroughly, as well as by the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, with great clarity.

Moreover, I would like to underline some points. The action of the HNS ‘Velos’ crew made a global impression, expressing in the most definite way that the country’s Armed Forces had not lost the essence of Democracy. The course of action the crew chose bore the seal of patriot soldiers since it incurred neither losses in personnel, nor destruction of materiel and means.

Naturally, we know that the mutiny of the Navy processed more dynamic and extreme actions. Its protagonists put in danger not only themselves, but their families as well. And by danger, I mean a situation which endured for many years. Families suffered and I know that positively, since I am in touch with those people. Thus, they overcame the situation with their manliness, with their faith that they fulfil the ultimate duty and they fight for the restoration of Democracy.

Finally, I would like to underline that despite the country’s difficult fiscal circumstance, Greece disposes one of the best defence systems with full equipment and excellent personnel, who respect and honour the Constitution and are exclusively devoted to their mission, which is ensuring the country’s territorial integrity and national independence.

 Mister Minister and representative of the Prime Minister,

I would like to report that the morale of the personnel was, is and remains high. Because they have faith in ideals. Because they have principles. And, above all, we believe in one thing: that if slippages occur in the field of economy and losses result, they can sometime be restored. Yet if national sovereignty and national security are lost and the slippages are geopolitical and geostrategic, they cannot be easily restored.

With these criteria, for the brief period of time we have already assumed responsibility, I believe that we will offer all of our forces with discretion and prudence and with the beautiful motto characterizing our Navy, whose competence – along with the competence of all Greeks – is incontestable at global level. And I am sure that it is the driving force for the restoration of any financial difficulty our country currently experiences.

Admiral Nikolas Pappas and his crew with their action set an example of democratic lawfulness, dignity and free will. For this reason they, as well as the destroyer HNS ‘Velos’, consist a part of the Nation’s History.

Dear Admiral Pappas,

In you we honour all the participants of the mutiny of the Hellenic Navy, present or not. Please allow me to say that we also pay honours to all military personnel who, when it was needed, expressed not only their disagreement to the military junta, but also sacrificed their lives so that today we can be free and enjoy the blessings handed to us by our ancestors.

I would like to thank you once more for giving me the chance today, with these few words, to express the opinion of military personnel in service, since I cannot realise yet that I no longer wear a uniform.

Thank you very much.”