The need for changes to be performed to the procedure of acceptance in schools and colleges of the Armed Forces, so that the studies and the procedures for the training and education in the Armed Forces will be further upgraded, was underlined by the Minister of National Defence Mr. Panos Panagiotopoulos in his speech to 117 Higher and Supreme Officers who graduated from the Hellenic National Defence College, during a celebration which took place at the Athens Officers’ Club, on the occasion of the 63rd year since the establishment of the College.

In his speech the Minister, having referred to the College’s long history, he congratulated the graduates and he pointed out that the well trained and proficient personnel is the highest force multiplier for the Hellenic Armed Forces and the contribution of the Hellenic National Defence College is decisive towards this end.

Mr. Panagiotopoulos added that at the hard times we currently experience, despite the difficulties and budget cuts, the personnel in the Armed Forces remain loyal to their oath and give an everyday struggle for the country. He underlined: “I would like to say once more that it will never tire me repeating that I, but also the Prime Minister, are absolutely convinced that the country is grateful to you. It is ready, fully comprehending your sacrifice, as soon as the first signs of recovery will show, to render what is due to the Armed Forces and its personnel. Because this is our duty, hence this is what will be done”.

The ceremony, during which the Minister of National Defence and the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff General Michail Kostarakos awarded to the graduates of the Hellenic National Defence College their diplomas, was also attended by the Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff Lieutenant General Athanassios Tselios, the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff Vice Admiral Evaggelos Apostolakis HN, the Commandant of the Hellenic National Defence College Lieutenant General Georgios Barkoukis, former commandants of the College, delegates of foreign Embassies, delegates of Defence Attachés in Athens and relatives of the graduates.