The handover ceremony from Mr. Evangelos Apostolakis to Mr. Nikolaos Panaghiotopoulos took place today at the Ministry of National Defence.

Below is the address by the outgoing Minister of National Defence Evangelos Apostolakis:

“Ministers,

Chiefs,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

today we welcome the new Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikos Panaghiotopoulos, and the new Deputy Minister, Mr. Alkiviadis Stefanis, Honorary Chief of Hellenic Army General Staff.

Mr. Minister, Mr. Deputy Minister, welcome and I sincerely wish you all the best. I am telling you in advance that I am at your disposal.

I am handing over the Ministry’s leadership after six months, being fully aware of the great honour done to me, but also of the responsibility which I undertook regarding our Armed Forces, the citizens, society. And in fact during a period that brings challenges of which we are all aware.

Besides, times are critical and require unity and national consensus. I would like to stress unity and consensus, especially on national matters. I have always and will always protect them.

That’s why I chose to undertake the political leadership of the Ministry of National Defence, following the honour made to me by Mr. Tsipras, because, as I have said before, I have learnt to serve the country and not avoid duty, no matter how difficult. I did so beyond any political ambitions, as I have done all these years.

Furthermore, within a short period, I fully briefed the competent party officials on matters of the Ministry.

I would like to assure the new political leadership of the Ministry of National Defence that the combat effectiveness of the Armed Forces remains at peak level.

More than anything, I am handing over my duties today being exceptionally proud of the Armed Forces personnel, our greatest advantage. Armed Forces personnel did not just support all efforts – they were (and still are) the driving force behind every action and event, a valuable force multiplier.

Mu tenure as Minister may have been short, but I think a lot was done. I do not want to present our results. This will be done by the Armed Forces personnel and the citizens.

But I think it would be proper, Mr. Minister, to stress a few matters, not as a presentation of results, but for your assessment and consideration.

Our minimum requirement was for a functional, effective, and healthy organisation, whose personnel are professionals. Gazing into the future, we couldn’t help but envisage the Armed Forces of tomorrow, since the gradual transformation and the adjustment of the Armed Forces to the new conditions and requirements is the only way forward. Our focus was jointness.

The common goal of all actions was to manage and use what little resources the Greek people could spare to provide us in the best possible manner. We focused on enhancing our effectiveness, always taking care to avoid any unnecessary waste in the development of our defence capabilities.

We persisted and arranged for the reorganization of the Armed Forces to essentially promote jointness and their more efficient operation. An organisation with less costly and more mobile and effective units, in line with the modern environment.

I think the reorganization is very important and a foundation has been laid for a more effective organisation.

Furthermore, by passing L. 4409, we provided solutions to a great number of pending issues and, of course, in the direction of providing actual and direct assistance to meet the service, family, and personal needs of our personnel. This has always been my main goal.

We received the KIOWA and CHINOOK helicopters from the US, we brought the intermediate solution P3-B Maritime Patrol Aircraft of the Hellenic Navy back to operational status, and inducted the new TECNAM trainer aircraft to the Hellenic Air Force.

At the same time, we planned the F-16 aircraft upgrade and proceeded to the preliminary actions for the modernisation of the MEKO type frigates, the reinforcement of the Fleet with additional frigates, the Mirage aircraft upgrade, and the modernisation of the air defence and surveillance system.

I think, Mr. Minister, that these actions to reinforce the Armed Forces as exceptionally important.

And of course, they are related to our efforts to reinforce the domestic defence and shipbuilding industry, with obvious benefits for national economy.

We made all efforts to revive the shipbuilding sector, to its benefit, to the benefit of the Armed Forces, to the benefit of Greece.

The Type 214 submarines are operational, the last two VOSPER Fast Patrol Boats are close to completion in Elefsis.

We are already reaping the rewards of this effort which should be continued.

At the same time, domestically, we maintained and I think we further strengthened the close bonds developed between the Armed Forces and Greek society.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Currently, we experience an unstable regional environment, with fragile balances in the near vital geopolitical space. Under these conditions, our top national priority was to highlight the role of Greece as a pillar of stability and provider of security in the broader region of East Mediterranean and the Balkans.

The contribution of the Armed Forces in the said national effort, within the framework of their institutional role, was great and was implemented through the exercise of an active defence diplomacy.

Of course, I don’t need to analyse once again the problems with Turkey’s stance in the Aegean and East Mediterranean. Our principle has always been to seek peace and stability but, at the same time, to decisively protect our sovereign rights.

That’s what we have always done. And that was unquestionable.

The political will, as well as the deterrent power and combat effectiveness of our Armed Forces have made this clear to everyone.

Of course, we made efforts to normalise the situation. To this end, we recently held meetings between technical teams from the two countries and defined actions, within the framework of Confidence-Building Measures. It is my belief that this communication channel must remain open.

I think we have established a good framework with Mr. AKAR. We did not solve any problems, but we laid a good foundation on which we can build a relationship without unnecessary tension.

Modern challenges and the new geopolitical situation in the East Mediterranean region require us to enhance the defence cooperation with Cyprus and highlight our brotherly and strategic relationship.

And that’s what we did. Both in a bilateral and multilateral framework. The Greece-Cyprus-Egypt and Greece-Cyprus-Israel trilateral cooperations prove this point in the most convincing way.

At this point, I would like to refer to Turkey’s recent decision to proceed to illegal drillings in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus. A decision which we have of course condemned and which has caused reactions internationally. And, until the last minute, we coordinated with Cyprus for further actions.

At the same time, we promoted and upgraded defence alliances and synergies with the Armed Forces of almost all countries in our region and the world.

Proof of this is the new dynamic of the excellent relations and strategic partnership we have with the US and, of course, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates.

Moreover, in the Balkans, the Greece – Bulgaria – Romania – Serbia quadrilateral is an important scheme for development and cooperation, while at the same time shaping dynamics and confirming Greece’s key role in the region.

With the signing of the Defence Cooperation Agreement with North Macedonia, we out forward a certain plan of actions, such as the provision of air policing services to our neighbour. At the same time, we ensured our involvement in the transformation of the Armed Forces of North Macedonia, something that has driven away other regional players who may try to benefit from and exercise influence over the neighbouring country.

In general, our alliances, international cooperations, open communication channels, and the level of our international defence relations overall, are more than excellent. May they always be like that.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

For my tenure as Minister, allow me to thank the former Prime Minister, Mr. Tsipras, for trusting me with this critical and important position.

I would also like to thank all ministers and, of course, the Alternate Minister of National Defence, Mr. Panos Rigas, for our excellent cooperation.

I would like to thank the Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General (HAF) Christos Christodoulou, and the Chiefs of General Staff, Vice Admiral Nikolaos Tsounis HN, Lieutenant General Georgios Kambas, and Lieutenant General (HAF) Georgios Blioumis for the excellent cooperation and for their decisive contribution and support. For the same reasons, I would also like to thank the Special Secretary of the Ministry, Ms. Kalliopi Papaleonida.

Furthermore, I would like to thank my retired colleagues, who stand beside us with their advice and initiatives, contributing to the demanding work of the Armed Forces.

And, of course, I owe endless gratitude to the families of the personnel of the Armed Forces, who are a source of inspiration and support. Our personnel draw courage from them in order to respond to their difficult, yet noble mission.

And I should also not forget my associates, men and women, for their hard work.

I also have no words to thank my wife, my children, and in general my own family for their support and love.

To the men and women of the Armed Forces, I say it was an honour to have served with you also from my position as Minister.

Your commitment and dignity continued to amaze and move me. Your high morale and love for the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and the country gave me hope and courage.

It is you who keep the Armed Forces high.

I do not need to tell you to keep as a sacred relic our values and traditions, your aggressiveness, your moral strength, your ground-breaking attitude and initiative. Because I know you will do it.

Being full of satisfaction and emotion, I would like to thank you for everything.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The protection of the territorial integrity and the interests of Hellenism is non-negotiable for all of us and requires conditions of national consensus, total and undisturbed national unity.

We must all work in this direction, beyond all ideological and party lines.

Mr. Minister,

I will stand beside you and will always be at your disposal. As we all should, united, far from burdens and stereotypes of the past, for the good of the Armed Forces. For the good of the country.

I am handing over my duties to you with total transparency, with great emotion, and with a clean conscience.

I wholeheartedly wish you good luck and lots of strength in your very demanding work.

Thank you“.

The outgoing Alternate Minister of National Defence Panos Rigas stated the following:

“Minister, Deputy Minister, allow me to welcome you, on my part, to the Ministry. I feel honoured and pleased, from the depth of my heart, to have cooperated with the outgoing Minister, Admiral Apostolakis, Minister Apostolakis, in his post as Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff and then as Minister, as well as with Mr. Stefanis as Chief of Hellenic Army General Staff. It was an honour for me; as is also the impeccable and excellent cooperation we have had.

And I am saying this because my love for the Armed Forces, my constant and family relation, but mostly my love for defending my country was, from the very first time, what made me have this cooperative relation with impartiality and without any further restrictions, but only for the battle-worthiness of the Armed Forces and the protection of our homeland.

I would like to highlight, as Mr. Apostolakis said too, that there are geopolitical and financial interests in the wider area, which our country should, can and will be dealing with, with its peaceful doctrine and, at the same time, through the deterrence power of our country’s Armed Forces. This was our objective, this is our objective now and this will remain; because, Mr. Panagiotopoulos, there was a cooperation with the Head of Defence Affairs Sector, Mr. Kikilias; there was an excellent cooperation over the previous period and it will be continued and I am available for you in every matter might be needed, I am available for Mr. Stefanis too. Thus, despite the adverse conditions our country has been going through, and probably still goes through, we managed to defend our national sovereignty so that it was not threatened or questioned by anybody.

This was achieved through great effort made by the personnel of the Armed Forces, by the civilian personnel of the Armed Forces and by their leaders. I would also like to stress that by solving the issue with North Macedonia, beyond anything else, regarding our country’s defence, we decreased, or even eliminated any effort made by the neighbouring country to change the conditions on our northern borderline.

Since this problem will still exist, but we, always loyal to peaceful solutions and to confidence building measures, regardless of the tensions that might emerge, we managed to create conditions of peaceful coexistence on our northern borders and to reduce any tensions or avoid any other problems might be created. This is for the benefit of the Armed Forces, and improves the utilization of their personnel, their operational capabilities, so that the personnel can focus on areas where our country’s national sovereignty is challenged.

I would also like to stress that, over this period, the social contribution of the Armed Forces both to the personnel and to its members, as well as to the Greek society over this difficult period, has been exceptional. I am sure that Mr. Stefanis, the Chief, the new Deputy Minister, will continue because he had this view – the new Minister will continue this too, but allow me, Minister, to refer to Mr. Stefanis because he was one of those who contributed to this effort – will continue this social work, because the relations of the Greek society with the Armed Forces is strong too.

II am certain that, after what Mr. Apostolakis stated too, regarding the initiatives we have taken to solve problems, they will be continued; because these problems exist. And our country’s defence industry which faces particular problems, as well as the solution of long-lasting problems regarding either the Ship repair Zone or the Hellenic Aerospace Industry, create the circumstances for a better utilization of the domestic industry in order to support the Hellenic Armed Forces.

I would like to thank the Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff, Mr. Christos Christodoulou, the Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff Mr. Georgios Kampas and the Chief of the Hellenic Air Force Mr. Georgios Mplioumis for the cooperation we have had, as well as all the personnel and the heads of Formations for the communication and their support over this whole period, for the honour they made me to have an excellent cooperation; I would also like to thank Ms. Papaleonidas, the Special Secretary for her exceptional work in the field of her responsibilities, for the civilian personnel, and also to thank the civilian personnel of the Armed Forces whose contribution is excellent; I would say that their support to the Armed Forces is equal to the one of the militaries. I am leaving this Ministry fully satisfied for having accomplished my duty which Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, entrusted me and you should all know that, in every thing that might be needed and I can help, I am willing to help you.

Minister, I wish you perform your duties successfully and I would like you to know that – and we did this and we both will still do this over the next period – national matters, military diplomacy which contributes also to the diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are and should be beyond any other interests. We did this, we will do this and maybe even in a more effective manner after this election period, which has been completed.

I wish you strength and courage, and to Mr. Stefanis as well, for the next period, and I am available to help”.

The address made by the new Deputy Minister of National Defence Alkiviadis Stefanis:

“I will start by thanking the Chief of the Government for his trust in the Armed Forces, which is evinced by the fact that I was selected and assigned to this position.

Secondly, I would like to thank the Greek people for their love and trust in the Armed Forces, which were earned day by day, through the hard work of the personnel, the soldiers, seamen, airmen, but also the National Guardsmen and the Reservists – to whom I extend a special message – and, last but not least, the hard work of the civilian employees.

I commit myself to honour the oath I just took, with God’s help; I commit myself to carry on serving my country and the Armed Forces; I commit myself to work hardly and efficiently.

Efficiency is my goal; the enhancement of operational readiness is my goal; resolving challenges is my goal; and they shall be achieved in cooperation and, naturally, through my complete, unconditional, and incessant devotion to the Minister.

However, above everything else, I place the country and its progress; I believe, and I also believed it as Chief, that the Armed Forces can be the instrument which will help our country’s progress. Since I am well aware of our personnel and their quality, I am absolutely certain of that.

I would like to affirm my absolute and total respect for the military and my love for the personnel of the Armed Forces and their function. Concluding, I wholeheartedly wish good health, happiness, and good luck; I would also like to thank the Minister and the Alternate Minister for everything they have offered to the Armed Forces. God bless you”.

The address by the new Minister of National Defence Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos:

“Minister,

Alternate Minister,

Chiefs,

Honourable and distinguished Armed Forces personnel,

Ladies and Gentlemen – dear guests,

My first comment is that today – at a joint level – it was proved beyond any shadow of doubt, that the Armed Forces are all-weather, even in this sizzling heat.

My second comment will be that I am greatly honoured by the fact that the Prime Minister trusted me with this particular position; a position carrying a great load of responsibility, on account of which, both the political and military leadership need to demonstrate meticulous readiness.

To the outgoing Minister, I would also like to say, dear Minister, Mr. Apostolakis, it is an even greater honour for me to take over after you. You are a man of the Armed Forces, you are of Armed Forces material; an excellent Officer and an exceptional soldier.

I can already tell you, even though we will say more on this in a few days, that reading the government’s policy statements, as far as the Ministry of National Defence is concerned, our fixed goal carries on – since it is the enduring goal of all political leaderships at the Ministry of National Defence – being to maintain and, why not, augment and enhance the deterrent power, combat capability, and readiness of the Hellenic Armed Forces.

It is traditionally every Minister’s goal; it will also be ours, and we will work towards this goal in full dedication and vigour. This is our sacred duty, which we are fully aware of. When I was a young university student of International Relations abroad, I learned that the main factor of a country’s strength is power and the main sub-factor of power is the personnel’s power; when a country’s personnel is high-quality, particularly in the Armed Forces, it becomes a force multiplier. That is the case for Greece currently, these are our Armed Forces, and we should all serve the same goal, so as to ensure success.

I am very well aware of the existing problems; the financial circumstances, the fiscal circumstances, the geopolitical uncertainties. However, I know that all of you, from the top of the chain of command to the last conscript, up to the country’s furthest watchtower, you are doing your best. As of today, we shall do together all that we can to achieve this goal; in this way, everyone will know that our country has a mighty deterrent force and that, during crises and tensions, this deterrent force eliminates any thought of aggression anyone might have.

Undoubtedly, I should also say something that may be interpreted as a message. Greece does not provoke and it seeks relations of stability and peace in the Balkans, as well as in the broader South-East Mediterranean. However, it does not like being provoked. And, when this happens, it has to react with prudence, determination and vigour, so that tensions are not triggered off, yet it shall not give the impression it can get provoked. This will be the goal all of us will serve, and I expect your cooperation towards it.

Minister, Alternate Minister, you have been the guardians on the city’s walls and, during your tenure, the cities were safe. Therefore, it is our turn to seek after the same goal.

Concluding, I am looking forward to seeing the General Staffs and all HQs in full cooperation. It is obvious that during transition phases of the Ministry’s political leadership, everything should be done in a continuous and regular way. Consider it a fact. Of course, I should also say that, until further notice, my predecessor’s orders are fully valid; it is something I would like to underline, even though it should be self-evident.

I wish you all strength and the best of luck, although I believe that luck is where preparedness meets competence; this is how we shall all work.

I wish the best to the Deputy Minister for his tenure; besides, he is someone you know better than I do, as he is of military origin as well.

Minister, we are at your disposal. We are counting on your knowledge and my conviction is that everything will be all right, since we will all be working towards the noble aim of having a safe country, where the people can feel secure. After all, at the end of the day, you all higher personnel of the military leadership are soldiers of Greece. As of today, I am a soldier of Greece, by your side.

Thank you”.