On Friday 10 January 2025, the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias attended the inauguration ceremony of the renovated Library of the Hellenic Army Academy.

The Minister of National Defence, who was greeted by the Commandant of the Hellenic Army Academy, Major General Anastasios Polyhronos, was given a tour of the Library, which was renovated through a donation by Sealink Navigation Ltd., and its president Nikolaos Kosmatos.

In the framework of the ceremony, a Divine Liturgy was officiated by Reverend Colonel Pavlos Karakatsanidis.  

The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Minister of National Defence Giannis Kefalogiannis, the Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Dimitrios Houpis, the Chief of Hellenic Army General Staff, Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief of Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras HN, the Chief of Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Lieutenant General (HAF) Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, as well as honorary Chiefs, active duty and retired Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers. 

It was also attended by the Mayor of Vari, Voula, Vouliagmeni Grigoris Konstandellos, the President of Sealink Navigation Ltd. and donor of the renovation, Nikolaos Kosmatos and his family, Dean Giorgos Kaimakamis, Professors and cadets of the Hellenic Army Academy as well as representatives of the maritime and business sectors.

During his address, Mr. Dendias stated:

“It is a great pleasure for me to be here. In the opening ceremony of a place, which combines the past, present, and future of our Country. The newly renovated Library by Mr. Nikos Kosmatos, is not simply a building. It also has a symbolic role.

It is a symbol of our attempt to shield our Country in the hard times that are ahead, and improve the education of all those, who in the future, will undertake the heavy duty to defend it.

Because the Hellenic Army Academy, is exactly that: the source of the Defence Leaders of our Country.

Moreover, in these premises here, characters are shaped and must be shaped, values are instilled, and skills are honed, so that they can carry out their mission successfully.

So, the new Library, comes to support that role, both materially and symbolically.

Here, strategic thought, scientific qualifications, and innovation, must be the foundations, upon which the new generation of our leaders will be built.

And this donation of Mr. Kosmatos, is not only evidence of his personal generosity. It is an act of patriotic responsibility and an example to be looked up to.

Mr. Kosmatos, your initiative is combined with the tradition of benefaction, which characterises Greeks through the ages. And because of the fact that I have the honour of knowing your parents, and particularly your Father, the Admiral, who happened to be a friend of my father, I can see how your donation came to be. I know the values with which you were raised. It comes as no surprise that you have such patriotic sensibility. I would like to express my deep gratitude for the example that you set.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The value of today reminds us of our collective responsibility. We must ensure that the Armed Forces will be able to fulfil their duties in the future. Because the world is full of geopolitical challenges. It is filled with instability. Complete instability is a new kind of instability.

So, we must be prepared for a Greece, which will live in a time of constantly growing challenges. And I must say that for that to happen successfully, we must maintain the Greek society dedicated to our common national goals.

It must be clear, that the protection of the Country is a collective struggle and can only be achieved through collective struggle.

Closing, I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Kosmatos once again, but also the pride I fell for all the Cadets of the Hellenic Army Academy. Because their presence, and I dare say their courage, fills the Country with optimism and the society with hope for a better tomorrow.

Thank you very much”.