On 12 January 2026, the Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, attended the ceremony for the award of the rank of Honorary Reserve Cavalry – Armour Brigadier General to the President of Sealink Navigation Ltd, Nicholas Kosmatos, for the donation towards the renovation of the Library of the Hellenic Military Academy.
The ceremony was held at “Ioannis Kapodistrias” Hall of the Ministry of National Defence.
The ceremony was also attended by the Chief/HNDGS, General Dimitrios Choupis, the Chief/HAGS, Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief/HNGS, Vice Admiral Dimitrios– Eleftherios Kataras HN, and the Chief/HAFGS, Lieutenant General (HAF) Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, the Commander of the Joint Academic Education Command, Anastasios Polychronos, Police Major General Ioannis Stavrakakis, General Officers, the donor and President of Sealink Navigation Ltd. Nicholas Kosmatos, his father, Hellenic Coast Guard Rear Admiral Coast Guard, Panagiotis Kosmatos (ret.), and other members of his family.
The Minister of National Defence stated in his address:
“Ladies, gentlemen, family members of the person of honour, Mrs. Kosmatos, it is our great honour to welcome you to the “Kapodistrias” hall at the Ministry of National Defence, which bears a Corfiot name, not given by me.
Today’s ceremony is held to award Mr. Nicholas Kosmatos the rank of Honorary Reserve Cavalry – Armour Brigadier General. An act of institutional recognition of his contribution.
Mr. Kosmatos has renovated the Hellenic Military Academy’s library, amongst other things. The fruit of generosity, and also – I ought to say – of wisdom, since this Library is about protecting the Country, not through arms, but through knowledge.
I think that knowledge, information, its processing, are the ammunition of the 21st century.
Consequently, the Library, which you have renovated, General, means more resources for young Officers and transforms into an important – more so than it appears – force multiplier for the Armed Forces.
Yet, as ever with these ceremonies, I want to remind the most important thing: it serves as an example. The country has always depended on donations. I remind all those who are not familiar with our ancient history – mine and the person of honour’s generation were taught it in school – the Athenian fleet, the mightiest of its era, was a product of donations. Wealthy Athenians were each obliged to provide the funds for a trireme. This is the initial use of the word choregia.
Mr. Kosmatos’s donation, in turn, sets an example. That Greeks who possess the means can contribute to the creation of mighty Armed Forces.
And, Mighty Armed Forces, are – I dare say unfortunately, yet it is so – a requirement for our survival.
Two days ago, I stated, on a different opportunity, that unfortunately, Turkish theories, as they have been developing lately, are not compatible with the constitutional and geographical limits of our Country. We, therefore, have to defend these. The contribution of those who possess the means in this effort is invaluable.
I warmly thank you Mr. Kosmatos. I ought to say, without the least exaggeration, that the fact that you help the Armed Forces is not in the least surprising. And it did not surprise me, knowing your father. Yet, some here present know that Mr. Kosmatos’s father was a friend of my father’s. I have known him since childhood. When I was a child, I was too shy to talk to him. Now he possesses a sweetness. I reassure you, that, when he was younger, he was quite strict. When I was studying in London, my father suggested I go to talk to him. I dared not to, I could not even conceive of it. Yet, I am sure he is proud of his children, Nikos and Charis. It is a great joy for all of us to have him in this hall today, for him to witness the recognition of his elder son.
Dear Mr. Kosmatos, my dear Nikos, I will keep your closing statement: that this contribution is not your last. I know how much you love the Armed Forces, and I always trust that you – regardless of whether I or any of the Chiefs are here, or anyone else is here – you will, to the greatest degree possible, fulfil what you feel as your duty and obligation to the Country.
Cordially, my warmest congratulations. May you always be in good health!”.
