The Minister of National Defence Mr. Panos Panagiotopoulos visited the HQ of the 95 Higher National Guard Battalions Command at Rodos Island in the context of his visit to military units of the Dodecanese, to guard posts and to borderline islands HQs.

Mr. Panagiotopoulos was accompanied by the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff Michail Kostarakos, the Commander of the Higher Military Command of Interior and Islands Lieutenant General Vassilios Tellidis and the Commander of the 95 Higher National Guard Battalions Command Major General Nikolaos Devetzis.

After the end of their visit, Mr. Panagiotopoulos made the following statement:

“It is a great pleasure and honour for me to be present here at the Dodecanese as Minister of National Defence.

I begin my tour here at the Division of Rodos, and afterwards I will go to our camp at Simi. I will also visit Panormitis, in order to pay my respects -since it is something I use to do- to the Monastery I have sentimental and family relations to. Then I will visit the islands of Kastelorizo and Ro, where we will have a memorial service for the Lady of Ro.

Here at the Dodecanese, as well as in the rest of our borderline islands and in Evros, one might hear the heart of Greece beat harder.

I would like to send my love and wishes, in view of the holidays, to all the inhabitants of the Dodecanese. To tell them that each time we are close to them, we feel even better, more optimistic, and stronger.

Happy holidays, happy New Year, my best wishes. All Greeks united, together, we will make it”.

JOURNALIST: Even during the hard times we experience?

P. PANAGIOTOPOULOS: Even during the difficulties we experience, you see that we already see some rays of hope.

I would like to say once more that together, with unity and social solidarity we will make it, maintaining National unity and social cohesion. These characteristics above anything else.

JOURNALIST: Will there be any reduction of defence expenses?

P. PANAGIOTOPOULOS: What you should know, and I am going to say once more is that the Armed Forces have always been at the frontline of National struggles and their role has been definitive – historically-wise – for the Country’s salvation.

I will never stop saying that during this period Greece is at a financial war; a peculiar financial war that has been imposed on us by the markets. A war we are going to win; one that is not conducted with military means and military operations, but in some other way.

To this huge effort made by the entire Greek people, the Armed Forces are once more at the frontline. They have assumed a great historic burden for the country’s salvation.

However, despite the budgetary cuts that were necessary for the country to be saved and avoid bankruptcy, the Armed Forces, devoted to their duty, as it is provided by the Constitution, their National mission and the Hellenic People, conserve at supreme level their deterrent capability, operational readiness and effectiveness. They guarantee and safeguard sovereignty, integrity and National independence in the best possible way.

This is a message I would like to send to all directions.