The Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Chardalias visited the Area of Responsibility of the 96th Higher National Guard Battalions Command (96 ADTE “CHIOS”) on Wednesday, the 29th and Thursday, the 30th of September 2021, in order to attend activities of the National Joint Large-Scale Exercise “PARMENION-21”.
On Wednesday, 29 September, he travelled to Oinousses and Panagia islands, where he visited the respective surveillance outposts. During his stay, he was briefed about their mission, their work and their activities, and he inspected the premises and conversed with the personnel whom he congratulated because they fulfil their duty with high professionalism and a strong sense of responsibility. He also met the Mayor of Oinousses Mr. Georgios Daniil.
Afterwards, he travelled to Chios island, where he visited the surveillance outpost of “AGHIA ELENI”.
On Thursday, 30 September, he attended the activities of the Distinguished Visitors’ Day and the final stage of “PARMENION-21” Field Exercise which were held on the coast of “Managros”, Chios island.
The exercise was also attended by Lieutenant General Nikolaos Flaris as representative of the Chief of HNDGS General Konstantinos Floros, the Deputy Governor of Chios Regional Unit Mr. Pantelis Bougdanos, the Mayor of Chios Mr. Stamatis Karmantzis, retired general Officers of the Army as well as delegations of Armed Forces and Security Corps’ personnel.
After the end of the exercise, the Deputy Minister of National Defence delivered the following address:
“We watched the final stage of Greece’s biggest joint exercise “PARMENION-21” with a feeling of excellent pride and exaltation, and we ascertained the excellent training level and the high operational readiness of our country’s Armed Forces.
The precision with which they executed the exercise, the flawless operational coordination among the three services, the awesome fire power of modern weapon systems, the professionalism of the personnel of all ranks across the chain of command, as well as the insurmountable morale of the conscript soldiers confirm beyond any doubt that the Armed Forces are battle worthy, well trained and they are a powerful tool of deterrence against any challenge that threatens our national sovereignty rights.
With their presence here today, on Chios, as well as yesterday, in Evros, the Armed Forces proved, once more, that they are an undoubted Pillar of our Homeland’s National Power and they can become the vanguard of our Nation’s morale, thanks to their high combat and deterrence force, against anyone who covets our national independence and territorial integrity.
Greece, because of its unquestionable geostrategic supremacy in the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean, is called on to face a number of multifaceted potential threats, dangers and challenges, with rationalism, reliability and effectiveness in such a manner that totally ensures its national interests.
To achieve this, it modernizes and constantly reinforces its Armed Forces, by upgrading old systems or by acquiring new weapons systems, such as the advanced French combat aircraft RAFALE, the upgrade programme of the existent F-16, the procurement of new multi-purpose frigates, the modernization of the existent surface vessels, the enhancement of the torpedo capacity of the submarines, the acquisition of new advanced technology helicopters with excellent anti-submarine capabilities, the procurement of new antitank weapons for the Army and of unmanned aerial assets for the Hellenic Air Force and the Navy, and all this with the important benefit for our domestic defence industry.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are, undoubtedly, going through a period of intense geopolitical disputes and rearrangements which evolve rapidly. From this land, from the borderland of Chios, we are sending the message that our Greece remains strong with a strong presence in the international political scene and it becomes a place of stability and peace, contributing significantly to the promotion of cooperation and friendship among the peoples of its geographical milieu.
The need to establish an environment of regional security is necessary and the position of our neighbouring country, Turkey, in achieving this goal plays a decisive role. An excellent cooperation between the two countries should be considered crucial for both countries to become factors of stability and progress, which is a constant message of peace which Greece sends towards our neighbor on every occasion.
Besides, it is true that both countries have been sharing a common history for many centuries, of conflicts and peaceful coexistence as well. This was our history and our geography and, based on them, we have to move on peacefully, without any recriminations, challenges and threats. We need rationalism, prudence, responsibility and a common perception of the common need for understanding, based on the principles of mutual respect and international legitimacy.
There have always been different opinions, and there will always be, but Greece declares constantly that it is loyal to the rules and principles of International Law and of the Law of the Sea, and a strong proponent of the view that all disputes should be settled in a peaceful manner, through dialogue and diplomacy.
Provocative behaviours, threats of use of military force, unsubstantial theories to claim land or sea areas and dispute of our national sovereignty rights are a blatant violation of principles set by the Chart of the United Nations, and are not consistent with the friendly and good neighbourly relations our country has always been seeking to build.
In this spirit, one may easily realize that the contribution of the Armed Forces, as a tool to exercise active and multifaceted defence diplomacy, can further promote the stabilizing and constructive role of our country, aiming to consolidate peace, progress, prosperity and sustainable social and economic growth.
I would like, as a conclusion, to express my gratitude to the entire personnel of the Armed Forces, because they fulfil their duties with a high sense of professionalism and a strong sense of responsibility, proving in action that they are, indeed, our greatest weapon systems and the unquestionable force multiplier of our army.
The Greek people can feel safety and security, because their Armed Forces can guarantee Peace and Democracy”.
During his two-day visit on Chios island, Mr. Chardalias was accompanied by the Commander of the Higher Military Command of Interior and Islands, Lieutenant General Nikolaos Flaris.
