On Friday 19 January 2024, the Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, attended the Chief of Hellenic Navy General Staff change of responsibility ceremony, which took place in the Hellenic Naval Academy, with Vice Admiral Dimitrios – Eleftherios Kataras HN assuming responsibility from Admiral Ioannis Drymousis HN.

The ceremony was also attended by:

– The Deputy Minister of National Defence, Ioannis Kefalogiannis.

– MPs Dionysios Chatzidakis, Stefanos Gikas, Notis Mitarakis, Konstantinos Katsafados.

– His Eminence, the Metropolitan of Piraeus, Mr. Seraphim

On behalf of the Military Leadership, the ceremony was attended by the Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Dimitrios Choupis, the Chief of Hellenic Army General Staff, Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, and the Chief of Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Lieutenant General (HAF) Dimosthenis Grigoriadis.

It was also attended by the Chief of the Hellenic Coast Guard, Vice Admiral Georgios Alexandrakis CG, Police Major General Christos Manouras, as representative of the Chief of the Hellenic Police, and Fire Service Major General Dimosthenis Ragavas, as representative of the Chief of the Fire Service.

Finally, the ceremony was also attended by Honorary Chiefs, General Officers of the Armed Forces, Defence Attachés, representatives of diplomatic authorities, members of regional and local government, as well as representatives of the three Armed Forces Services, the Security Forces, and Retired Officers Associations.

After presenting the outgoing Chief of Hellenic Navy General Staff with a commemorative gift, Mr. Dendias stated:

“I would like to thank Admiral Drymousis for his service to our country. Not only as Chief, but also for his overall long, meritorious service.

He was bestowed by the Country the greatest honour one can receive from the Navy; that of becoming Chief of Hellenic Navy General Staff, and he honoured his duties with earnestness, diligence, and kindness.

Admiral, I want to express the warmest of thanks; definitely on behalf of the Government, but allow me to say, also on behalf of the whole political system and Greek society.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I would also like to say one more thing. The Hellenic Navy’s mission is ever growing. Its mission in 2024 differs radically from that of 2019.

And allow me to say that I am proud that, while representing the Hellenic Government, it was my signature which expanded the national waters which constitute the area of responsibility of the Hellenic Navy. And I expanded the area of our national sovereignty, the sovereign rights for which the Hellenic Navy is also responsible.

Consequently, I absolutely agree with the need to attain a powerful, modern Navy by 2030, which can protect what is mandated by the Constitution, which was created by the sacrifices it made decades before our time.

Admiral, I would like to wish good health and happiness to you and your family, and to watch – along with all of us – the Hellenic Navy grow bigger and stronger. May you always be in good health”.