On Sunday 17 March 2019, the Minister of National Defence Evangelos Apostolakis along with the Alternate Minister of Economy and Development Stergios Pitsiorlas conducted the ceremonial launching of the renovated Panamax size floating dock named “VIOLANDO” of the Syros Neorion Shipyards.
The Minister of National Defence addressed the attendees and mentioned, among other things, the following:
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He underlined that the promotion of Greece’s role as a pillar of stability and provider of security in the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans, constitutes the highest national priority.
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He mentioned the unbreakable bond of the Greeks with the marine element as well as the vital significance of the islands for the country’s geopolitical value.
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He stressed the essential dual role of the Greek mercantile shipping, as a sector of national importance and as an essential pillar of economy.
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He characterised the undertaking in Syros as a paradigm for the revitalisation and development of the ship building and repairing sector. A special mention was made of the everlasting bonds between the Armed Forces and the Syros Neorion Shipyards.
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He noted the connection of the country’s robust defence status with the strategic industrial infrastructures, which constitute force multipliers with immediate benefits for the repairing capability and material availability of the Armed Forces.
