On Friday, 18 November 2022, the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikolaos Hardalias, viewed the final phase of HELBROC BG LIVEX, with participating personnel and assets from Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and the Republic of North Macedonia. The Exercise took place in the premises of the National Urban Warfare Operations Center of Excellence, Argyroupoli, Kilkis.
The said LIVEX is a Distinguished Visitors’ Day (DV-DAY) activity of the “EU Integrated Resolve 22” Civilian – Military Crisis Management Exercise. It was conducted from 19 September until 18 November 2022 pursuant to the “Parallel and Coordinated Exercise – PACE” doctrine, in cooperation and coordination with NATO, with participating multinational personnel coming from the 1st Army/EU-OHQ and the 71 Airborne Brigade/EU-OHQ.
The LIVEX was also attended by the MP and member of the Standing Committee on National Defense and Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Parliament, Mr. Georgios Fraggidis, the Chairman of the EU Military Committee, General Robert Brieger, HNDGS/Deputy Chief, Vice Admiral Ioannis Drymousis representing HNDGS/Chief, the Mayor of Kilkis, Mr. Dimitrios Kyriakidis, Reverend Metropolitan of Polyana and Kilkis, Vartholomaios, HAGS/Chief, Lieutenant General Charalampos Lalousis, HTAF/Chief, Lieutenant General Georgios Fasoulas, the Deputy Regional Governor of KIlkis Regional Unit, Mr. Andreas Vergidis, 1st Army Commander, Lieutenant General Aggelos Choudeloudis, and C Army Corps Commander, Lieutenant General Sotirios Kostakoglou, the National Military Representative of Greece to NATO and the EU Military Committee – Honorary Chief of the Fleet, Vice Admiral Ioannis Pavlopoulos, the National Military Representatives of Switzerland, Ireland, Slovenia, Hungary, Belgium, Romania, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Italy, Bulgaria to the EU, Commanders and delegations coming from Greek and foreign Formations.
The Deputy Minister of National Defence gave the following address:
“I am delighted to be here today in Nea Santa, at the heart of our Macedonia, the ancient cradle of Hellenism. Today’s exercise, conducted by members of our European family, showcased the abilities thereof to handle crises, thus being an exciting experience for us all, which made us feel even more confident and secure.
Ladies and gentlemen, one need not be an expert to notice that the European Union faces threats across its boundaries. The Russian invasion to Ukraine, which is still in progress, no matter how illegal and uncalled-for it may be, is only the tip of the iceberg of a more generalized aggressive behavior demonstrated by authoritarian regimes throughout the world.
It is therefore clear that the EU can and must do more, both as a pillar of peace and freedom within our continent and as an international and independent force. We have to upgrade and enhance the joint decision making processes, our coordination with international partners with whom we share common principles and values, including NATO, as well as our political, strategic, and operational planning.
In conclusion, I would like to congratulate all those who worked tirelessly to skillfully plan and implement the ‘’EU Integrated Resolve 22’’ Exercise. Your hard work, your commitment to duty, and your ongoing struggle towards excellence are required more than ever in the context of our journey towards a genuine European Defence Union”.
Following the conclusion of the Exercise, the Deputy Minister of National Defence stated:
“In the context of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy, the Balkan Force, the Battlegroup, conveyed an image of excellence. The outcome and message is one of understanding and solidarity; a message stating that Europe may be a stability guarantor and face all threats. A message of stability, peace and alertness against anyting that may threaten our countries, the European acquis, International Law, the territorial integrity of each EU country.
Our country is a leader, a force factor, but more than anything, it sends a message of friendship and peace to the wider area”.
