The Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikolaos Chardalias, attended today, Thursday 23 September 2021, the Special Operations Four Day Exercise “HERCULES-21”, conducted at the Special Forces Training Center.
Exercise “HERCULES-21” is conducted for the first time, with the participation of Special Operations troops of the HNDGS Special Warfare Command, as well as respective troops from Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, indicative of the new synergies that Greece is promoting at a diplomatic and military cooperation level. The exercise is conducted from Monday 20 to Sunday 26 September 2021, in the wider area of the Attica District.
The event was attended by HNDGS/Chief General Konstantinos Floros, their H.E. the Ambassadors of the Arab Republic of Egypt Mr. Ismail Ahmed Khairat and of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dr. Saad Alammar, HAFGS/Chief Lieutenant General Georgios Blioumis, HAGS/Chief Lieutenant General Charalambos Lalousis, HNGS/Chief Vice Admiral Stylianos Petrakis, the General Director of the HNDGS General Directorate of National Defence Policy and International Relations Dr. Konstantinos Balomenos, Defence Attachés, as well as representatives of the participating forces.
The Deputy Minister of National Defence delivered the following address:
“It is a great pleasure and satisfaction to be here today, at the Special Forces Training Center, during the Distinguished Visitors Day of the Four Day Special Operations Exercise, called “HERCULES-21”.
It is the first time that this specific exercise has been conducted with the participation of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, indicative of the new synergies that Greece is promoting at a diplomatic and military level.
The above co-training of Special Operations troops further promotes the already excellent and upgraded relations of our countries, which do not focus only on a level of military cooperation, but they extend in various fields of mutual interest, like in economy, energy, transports, tourism, culture, training and civil protection; synergies that were reassured in the recent “FRIENDSHIP FORUM” held in Athens last February, with the active participation of all our countries.
Undoubtedly, our countries are connected by common principles and values and share the same devotion regarding International Law, the United Nations Charter, the resolutions of the Security Council and the Contract for Maritime Law.
Besides, our relations are based on the understanding of friendship and peace, and they are characterized by the will of essential contribution, the security, stability and welfare of the wider region of the Southeastern Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Gulf.
This is a region of an extremely geopolitical and strategic importance, often facing complex and complicated challenges, presenting potentially a risk for the security and peace of its states.
Greece, being an important part of this critical geopolitical space, exercises an active military diplomacy, having undertaken a focal role in the promotion of defence initiatives and the establishment of bilateral, trilateral and multilateral cooperation schemes with all the countries with which we share the same values, principles and views regarding stability in the region.
Through combined actions in the field of defence diplomacy and foreign affairs policy, our country pursues strategic partnerships, that reinforce its security and project its stabilizing and constructive role, as a driving force of positive developments, but also as a connective bond between the European Union and the Middle East.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The deepening of our countries’ cooperation undoubtedly serves the mutual interest of our peoples and promotes peace in the wider region, establishing the foundation for an ambitious and positive course of progress and welfare.
By extending the partnership fields among us, we will set an example of harmonious interstate cooperation on the disturbed chessboard of international relations, converging irrevocably with regard to the fundamental values of the United Nations, the principles of Security, Justice and Equality.
Concluding my short address to all Special Operations personnel of Greece, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, which participated in the Exercise, I would like to assure you that:
Respecting the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of our countries and with a strong devotion to International Law and Maritime Law, we will be able to guarantee, through time, peace and security in our critical geostrategic region”.
