The Minister of National Defence Evangelos Apostolakis represented the Government at the event for the celebration of Saint Georgios, the Patron of the Army, conducted at the Infantry School in Chalkida, on Friday 3 May 2019.

The Alternate Minister of National Defence Panos Rigas as well as the Chief of HNGS Vice Admiral Nikolaos Tsounis, the Chief of HAGS Lieutenant General Georgios Kambas and the Chief of HAFGS Lieutenant General Georgios Blioumis also attended the event. Furthermore, members of the Parliament and the Local Self-government, honorary Chiefs of General Staffs and Retired personnel, delegations of members of the Armed and Security Forces as well as numerous individuals also attended the event.

You can read the address of the Minister of National Defence below:

“It is a particular pleasure and honour for me, to be here today at the Infantry School, as the Minister of National Defence and representative of the Government, along with the Alternate Minister and the military leadership of the Armed Forces, to honour the memory of the Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer Saint Georgios.

The holy figure of our Army’s protector decorates the War Flags of our Formations and Units. The gallantry, fortitude and self-denial which he demonstrated in his lifetime, constitute a shining example of devotion to high ideals and principles. They constitute an example which goes as far as self-sacrifice.

As we behold our flags, we feel pride and awe. At the same time we become aware of the huge responsibility that their protection entails.

Especially during a period of fragile balance established in the close living geopolitical space of Greece. Our aim is our country to remain a foundation of peace and a pillar of stability, building bridges of collaboration and dialogue with all the countries of the wider region, contributing to the development of good neighbourly relations and peace.

We certainly have a difficult neighbour, whom we always face with caution and strategic composure. However, everyone should know that the Armed Forces constitute a guarantee for the safeguarding of our territorial integrity and our Country’s sovereign rights. There is no doubt about it.

At the same time, we certainly increase our outreach and we cultivate dialogue and collaboration with our geopolitical surroundings, on the basis of International Law and security through synergy. The Armed Forces contribute to Greece’s successful effort to establish a powerful axis of collaboration in the wider region of national interest.

That is why we exercise active defence diplomacy and we honour the country’s commitments. We have assumed, with responsibility and decisiveness, a key-role in the promotion of defence synergies and security initiatives, functioning as a communication conduit between the countries of the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Thus, we contribute to the consolidation and enhancement of a feeling of stability, along with collaboration and peaceful coexistence in the region.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our priority is to preserve the battle capability and readiness of our Army, but also the creation of a momentum which will allow its evolution, in a joint context, so that it will be able to respond to future challenges.

Recognising the direct correlation of the Armed Forces effectiveness with the reliability and availability of material, and of course with absolute respect to the sacrifices of the Greek people, we promote the materialisation of extremely necessary armament programmes. So, we function enhancing the revitalisation of the domestic defence industry.

We always work keeping in mind the constant promotion of the well-meant jointness and synergy. Thanks to the constant efforts of the Chiefs of HNDGS and the three services and under the guidelines of the Ministry of National Defence, we function as a team. Our aim is to achieve the highest degree of interaction and interoperability between the services of the Armed Forces, so that the Army, the Hellenic Navy and the Air Force, will collectively become more effective.

At this point I would like to mention all of the Greek citizens and the close bonds which the Armed Forces have developed with the Greek society. We always stand by their side and we enjoy a relation of trust and respect with society. We confirm this daily. We are confirming it today too, with the attendance of numerous of our fellow citizens.

This relation is extremely important to us and we safeguard it as our most prized possession. It constitutes a basic advantage, but at the same time a powerful motive and a source of inspiration to cope with the modern challenges.

Of course, all of the above would not be feasible without our greatest advantage, our driving force, the members of the Armed Forces. We are counting on our personnel. Throughout our effort, they constitute an invaluable force multiplier, following the course of responsibility, with valence and pride.

No matter how much money we spend for new assets, they will be useless without the high level of professionalism and the morale of the Armed Forces personnel. The soul and patriotism of the Greek soldier. Of the Greek Officer and NCO. That is the most essential armament asset at our disposal.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Counting on our personnel and our defence capabilities, we promote our reliable deterrent capability and the international consolidation of the role of stability of Greece.

As the Minister of National Defence I would like to thank and congratulate all the members of the Army and the Armed Forces in general, for the superb execution of their duties and to acknowledge your high level of morale and readiness.

Keep going, driven by the shining example of our Patron Saint Georgios, remaining devoted to your military duty.

I wish that Saint Georgios will always be by your side.

By the side of the Hellenic Army.

By the side of our Armed Forces.

Many happy returns to our Army.

Many happy returns to all”.