On Friday 4 April 2025, the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias visited London, where he attended the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Hellenic War Museum of Athens and the Imperial War Museum.

The President of the Board of Directors, Hellenic Air Force Lieutenant General (ret.) Konstantinos Karamesinis, and the Director General and CEO of the Board of Directors, Caro Howell signed the Memorandum of Cooperation on behalf of the Hellenic War Museum and the Imperial War Museum respectively. The event was also attended by the ambassador of the Hellenic Republic in the United Kingdom, Ioannis Tsaousis and representatives of the Boards of Directors of the two Museums.

The scope of the Memorandum of Cooperation is to facilitate the cooperation and exchange of knowledge and experience between the two Museums in the following areas:

• Organisation of mutual exhibitions and exhibit exchanges.

• Museum and cultural research enhancement.

• Training and education programme development.

• Exchange of findings for the purpose of optimal Museum management.

After the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation, Mr. Dendias stated:

“I have already stated that everything will change in the Hellenic Armed Forces with the “2030 Agenda”. And when I say “everything” it means “everything”. It includes something about which we are really proud: Our War Museums, and especially the Hellenic War Museum in Athens.

So, in this effort to make a new approach in our history, regarding which we are very proud, the President of the Hellenic War Museum, Mr. Karamesinis and the Director of the Imperial War Museum in London, Ms. Caro Howell, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation today, following my previous visit here.

With this effort, the Imperial War Museum will allow us to showcase our exhibits and our history in a new way, so that they can be even more impressive, especially for the newer generation of Greeks.

It is a first step towards a completely new approach. There is also a second step. We will try to establish Greek presence in in Rimini, Italy, where the Sacred Band fought and where we can showcase our history, which we are very proud of, to the newer generation of Greeks and Europeans”.

Earlier, the Minister of National Defence met the Archbishop of Thyatira and Great Britain Mr. Nikitas at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in London.

Minister of National Defence attends event with the subject “Our future matters: Protecting children in crisis situations. From struggle to strength” in London

On Thursday 3 April 2025, Mr. Dendias attended the event with the subject: “Our future matters: Protecting children in crisis situations. From struggle to strength, which was organised by the cooperation between the Greek Embassy in London and the “Together for Children” organisation, in London”.

During his address in the event, the Minister of National Defence mentioned:

It is both an honour and a privilege to be here today at the hospitable premises of the Greek Embassy in London to deliver some opening remarks for such a crucial and deeply humanitarian issue. I would also like to thank and warmly congratulate the Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Ioannis Tsaousis and Mrs Alexandra Martinou, President of the Board of Directors of the Child Protection Organization TOGETHER FOR CHILDREN, for taking this initiative and organizing together tonight’s event.

In times of war, it is often the innocent who suffer the most, and no group is more vulnerable than children.

Conflict deprives them of their homes, their education, their families, and, tragically, in too many cases, their very lives.

As the international community, we have a moral and strategic duty to shield the youngest members of society from the horrors of war.

Greece has always stood firm in its commitment to international law and human rights, advocating for the protection of children in conflict zones.

Our Armed Forces adhere strictly to the principles of humanitarian law, ensuring that in every mission, human dignity is upheld, and the most vulnerable are safeguarded.

To this end, we actively participate in peacekeeping operations to safeguard the fundamental values of our society—chief among them, the protection of human life, particularly that of children.

Greece strongly supports international initiatives and organizations dedicated to alleviating the suffering of children affected by war, providing aid, protection, and hope for a better future.

But we must do more. Governments, international institutions-organizations, NGO’s and civil society must work together to strengthen policies that protect children, prevent their recruitment as child soldiers, and ensure they have access to education, healthcare, and psychological support.

Let this gathering serve as a reminder that behind every statistic, there is a child with dreams, hopes, and the right to a peaceful future. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every child, wherever it lives, is entitled to a safe future.

Greece being elected for the third time in its history as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the 2025-2026 period will further sensitize the international community for the global protection of children.

Actually, one of the six main pillars of the Greek 2025-2026 term is Children and Armed Conflict.

Greece reiterates its principled position of protecting and promoting children’s rights as well as eliminating all forms of violence and abuse against them, especially in times of conflict.

Guided by relevant international norms and standards, will continue to actively promote and integrate the principles of the best interest of the child, of non-discrimination, of doing no harm and of a child rights-based approach to all peace efforts, in accordance with the 2017 Policy on Child Protection in United Nations peace operations.

Greece will also prioritize accountability for violations committed against children in armed conflict. This will be implemented by focusing on both prevention and remedy through the effective functioning of child-friendly judicial and non-judicial mechanisms and will actively promote strong synergies with international partners that take into account and give voice to children’s actual needs.

Thank you”.