The President of the Hellenic Republic Mr. Karolos Papoulias received today, 22.3.2013, at the Presidential Mansion, the Minister of National Defence Mr. Panos Panagiotopoulos, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff General M. Kostarakos, the new Chiefs of the Hellenic Army, Navy and Air Force General Staffs, as well as the newly promoted Army and Air Force Lieutenant Generals and Navy Vice Admirals.
P. PANAGIOTOPOULOS: Your Excellency Mister President of the Hellenic Republic, I would like to thank you for the great honour of being invited here as Minister of Defence and present to you the new leadership of the Armed Forces.
Mister President, after the yearly evaluations, according to Greek legislation, the Governmental Council on Foreign Policy and National Defence decided that the competent have handed over to the competent. Mister President, we are aware that in this relay race which is effected in the Armed forces according to the law, so that the younger generations of cadres will evolve, the new leadership assumes duties during difficult and complicated times.
Winds, storms and hurricanes have burst all around us. However, may I assure you, Mister President, on behalf of the military and political leadership, that notwithstanding the vicissitudes and budget cuts – which were necessary for the salvation of the country – everyone serving in the Armed Forces, men and women, from the military leadership, the Officers and NCOs, to the mere conscript, the give this battle with self-denial, devotion to their duty, having disconnected any possible problems in a difficult everyday life from the need to perform their duty to the country and honour the oath they have taken to the Nation, our people, our Constitution.
PRESIDENT: Thank you very much Mister Minister. Gentlemen congratulations on assuming your new duties. As mister Minister said, you assume your duties during a difficult period; a period of geostrategic, financial and energy conflicts.
The Hellenic Armed Forces are the guarantee for the safeguarding and insuring our country’s national interests. For the following months, this will be your primary duty, and I am certain that the fact that you were selected will contribute to this aim, which is also an aim of the Greek people; You are a part of the Greek people.
I have said it before, without competent Armed Forces during crisis periods, the country’s diplomatic capability is diminished. For this reason, I believe that you will set an example for your subordinates and the personnel in general. What you offer to the Army will be for your subordinates the inspiration for what they should do.
As mister Minister said – and I would like to point out and emphasize that you have competent political leadership, characterized by known patriotism – the situation is difficult. The Greek people give a big financial struggle. As far as economy is concerned, we experience a state of war. You saw what happened in Cyprus; as if our difficulties were not enough, complexity in Cyprus is ahead. This is why I repeat, your role is very important. I am certain that you will perform your duties in full. Once again, congratulations and my best wishes.
