The Minister of National Defence Mr. Dimitris Avramopoulos visited today Units of the Armed Forces at Aspropirgos and Megalo Pefko.
During his visit, he was accompanied by the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff General M. Kostarakos the Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff Lieutenant General K. Ziazias and the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff Vice Admiral K. Christidis.
At his speeches addressing the Units’ personnel, Mr. Avramopoulos pointed out, among others:
«Our priority is to keep the effectiveness of the Hellenic Armed Forces at a high level, to strengthen the morale and spirit of our personnel and to keep unbroken the unity between the Hellenic Armed Forces and Hellenic society.
I mention all of that since my presence here today coincides, as you all know, with a period that is particularly difficult for Greece, which you experience day after day as personnel in the Armed Forces, along with your families.
The difficulties did not discourage us who are representing the Hellenic state. Even though the financial circumstances exerted pressure, we can say that we support, and that we shall continue supporting, one of the best armies in the world.
On the other hand, your mission, your training, the high readiness level, the comprehensive equipment, but above all your soul and morale, are among the fundamental parameters for our mission to succeed.
I am here today to share with you the beautiful, sincere feelings of national pride. Society, history, traditions, commitment, honour, duty are combined with what in this place you are not only trained to do, but have consciously accepted and that has rooted within you; to deliver your mission.
The country delivers the means and the capabilities. However hard may the times be, I would like to repeat once more that we do not intend to allow any derogation concerning the army’s effectiveness…
…You are the Hellenic Armed Forces’ elite par excellence; at constant readiness, in order to respond to the supreme duty of the Greek soldier. You are well trained. You have excellent officers and a great tradition which begins at the end of the Second World War until today, but which connects you with this country’s great history.
The Army exists for certain moments. For that time, when the country’s integrity and independence will be judged, will be tested, will be threatened, when the noble principles and values, such as country and family, will be jeopardized.
You are the ones to be at the frontline of this duty, if and in case it will be needed. Your quality, your excellent equipment, the complete training you have received, are the guarantee for the success of any mission you will be assigned.
I am not here today in order to make one of those speeches that simply try to modernize some traditional messages. What I want to tell you is that during these difficult times our country is experiencing, our national defence system, the Armed Forces, remain standing, proud, prepared. They never stroked the flag of national dignity, commitment and duty. For this reason, you might have already heard me saying many times that in this great area, extending from Greece’s extreme ends until the urban centres and our islands, you can find the heart of another Greece; Greece of duty and honour…
…I wish that all what you have been trained for will not need to be actually tested in difficult circumstances. I wish that wise brains will always prevail, so that neither us, nor any of our neighbouring countries will be driven to such adventures. This is a desire, a message we solidly send out as Greeks, since we are a peaceful and peaceable country.
On the other hand, we are also ready. And this spirit of readiness, capability and effectiveness is represented by this elite part of our Armed Forces, all of you being here now. And we are proud of you, as I said earlier, and we will always be by your side, opening the way for further amelioration of your training, for further enhancement of the most modern equipment you deserve to have”.
