On Friday 24 November 2023, in the presence of the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias, the final phase of the interstate Field Training Exercise “Olympic Cooperation 23” was conducted in Petrochori, Xanthi Firing Range, with the participation, apart from the Hellenic Armed Forces, of the U.S., France, Republic of Cyprus, Bulgaria and Georgia land forces.

Observers from Egypt, Albania, Armenia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, India, the Republic of Cyprus, Romania and Saudi Arabia were also present.
The ambassadress of the French Republic in Greece Ms Laurence Auer represented the French Republic.
On behalf of the Military Leadership the following attended: the Chief HAGS, Lieutenant General Angelos Choudeloudis, representing the Chief HNDGS,
General Konstantinos Floros, the Commander of the 1 st ARMY/EU-OHQ Lieutenant General Ioannis Tsioplos, the Commander of D Army Corps Lieutenant General Dimokritos Konstantakos, the Director of A Staff Dte/HAGS Major General Emmanouil Theodorou, the Commander of the 20 th Armour Division Major General Nikolaos Athanatos and other members of
the Hellenic Armed Forces.
The final phase of the Exercise was also attended by:
The Deputy Chief of the French Land Forces Lieutenant General Guillaume Du Breil De Pontbriand, the Commander of the 35 FR Regiment d’ Infanterie Colonel Philippe Le Duc, the MND-SE COM Major General Dorin Toma, the MND-SE DCOM Brigadier General Loic Girard, the Representative of the Italian Brigade GARIBALDI Colonel Antonio Merenda, the French Defence
Attaché Colonel Olivier Madiot, the U.S. Military Attaché Colonel Nathan Mann, the Egyptian Defence Attaché Colonel Magdy Mohamad Ibrahim Radwan, the Indian Defence Attaché Colonel Vijayant Singh, the ODC-GR Brigadier General Casey Luskin, the AST-GR Paul Kalbos, the ASG-

BALKAN Colonel Terry Saul, the Counsellor of the French Embassy Christian Fatras and others. In his address, Mr Dendias stated:
“Chief, representative of the Chief/HNDGS General Konstantinos Floros, Generals, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning!
It is my pleasure and honour to be here in Petrochori, Xanthi Armour Firing Range, Thrace, in the context of the interstate exercise “Olympic Cooperation- 23”, with units of the Hellenic Armed Forces and U.S., French, Bulgarian, Cypriot and Georgian Armed Forces. The goal of this exercise is the reinforcement of the cooperation and readiness. It is the cooperation of countries and societies that share the same principles and values in the 21 st century. It is of great importance that this exercise is conducted here in Thrace; an area with enormous geopolitical value for the Alliance. I would also like to tell you that for me, it is a great pleasure that I am once again in the area of Thrace and that the port of Alexandroupolis was used by the allied forces for this exercise.
I would also like to say, as Madam Ambassadress was kind enough to point out before, that it is the greatest presence of French land forces in Greece and this area after WWI.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are called to manage a special agenda of challenges, hybrid threats and problems; an agenda of revisionism. Revisionism is not only a threat for the security of the states. It is a threat for the well-being of the citizens and societies. That is why we must be ready and powerful to face it together, through a wider spectrum of actions, cooperations, synergies, that aim at projecting the flags, the states and the societies that share the same principles and values for International Law and keeping an order in the planet. Allow me to say that the Greek flag flies proudly in this arena of states that share these values and beliefs. So, I would like to congratulate from the bottom of my heart those who participated in the exercise and thank them”.
Upon conclusion of the interstate Field Training Exercise, the Minister of National Defence stated to the press:
“We observed today the final phase of the interstate exercise “Olympic Cooperation ’23”, here, in Petrochori, Xanthi.

An exercise in which American, French, Bulgarian, Cypriot, Georgian Armed Forces and Hellenic Armed Forces participated. An exercise that proves, in practice, the importance of the cooperation of friends and allied states that share the same beliefs for International Law and the co-existence of states and peoples. Because it has been proven that the threats we face are complex, revisionism is once again progressing and no country can face all threats by itself. The presence of all these countries in Thrace proves the expanded role that our country, Greece, has played in the context of the alliance and the safeguarding of our common values and principles. Allow me, though, taking this opportunity, to point out two things: First, my enormous personal satisfaction for the great and unprecedented, after WWI, French military presence here in Thrace and Northern Greece. It is the result of the Agreement of strategic relation that bears my signature as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the previous Mitsotakis Government. Ministers rarely have the pleasure of seeing the favourable consequences of documents signed by them in practice. The second reason I am especially happy for is the increasingly crucial role of the port of Alexandroupolis, in the deployment of friendly forces and in the safeguarding of our common principles. Again, the first agreement signed with the U.S. placed the port of Alexandroupolis on the geopolitical map, as the main entrance for the communication with the eastern wing of NATO and the reinforcement in this eastern wing of the countries that fight for and defend international law. Concluding, after thanking the French Ambassadress for her attendance here with us today, I would like to congratulate, from the bottom of my heart, those who participated in this amazing exercise. Thank you very much”.
Finally, addressing the commanders and staff of the forces that participated in the Field Training Exercise, Mr Dendias stated:
“I would like to thank, from the bottom of my heart, the forces from the U.S., Georgia, the Republic of Cyprus, Bulgaria, France and of course Greece, for this outstanding demonstration in today’s exercise and thank you all from my heart for your contribution in the common effort of safeguarding the principles of International Law and justice in humanity. It was mentioned before by the American Colonel that many of you are away from home. Allow me-and of course I address the staff of the other countries- to tell you that here, in Greece, you will always feel at home. I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your attendance here today. A last crucial point: for us, Greeks, it is very important to see again after WWI, such a great French military presence in the territory and especially Thrace.
Thank you”.