“We are welcoming today the Minister of Defence of Armenia Mr. Vigen Sargsyan, the Deputy Minister Mr. Davit Tonoyan and the Armenian delegation. The two countries are connected by traditional ties of friendship and cooperation. Much more our peoples are linked by long standing common and parallel historic memories and experiences.

These experiences were honoured this year by the Ministries of Defence of the two countries with events of common commemoration to honour the Genocide of Pontiac Hellenism and the Genocide of Armenians and their uprooting from their homeland.

These commemoration events for the black pages of global history which – although disputed by some – have marked the global conscience with indelible ink, are not reviving hatred or vices, but constitute the obligation of historic memory, for the innocent victims and the aggressors.

Today’s meeting with the Minister gave us the opportunity to review the excellent cooperation of the two Ministries up to today,  and exchange ideas as well as specific proposals for further deepening and expanding our defence cooperation.

I have highlighted in the past that our objective is the development of substantial bilateral and multilateral modes of defence cooperation, aiming to consolidate peace in the regions affected by crises. As a matter of fact the consolidation of peace and stability will render benefits for all the countries of the wider region without any exceptions.  We call, without any seclusions, all countries which can and desire to contribute to peace, security and stability to cooperate with us.

Allow me to express our appreciation for Armenia’s contribution to international crises management operations and the maintenance of peace, such are NATO operations.  We have cooperated on KFOR operation in Kosovo and we aspire to future cooperations.  

This year has been an extremely productive one for our cooperation. Our joint program was executed to a great extent. The forthcoming ratification by the Hellenic Parliament of the reviewed agreement of military cooperation will pave the way for a new context of enhanced cooperation, which we are determined to fully utilize.
Our cooperation will expand to military hospitals, that is we will have the opportunity to host Armenian Army doctors to cooperate with our own ones, also in the field of Special Forces training, the  exchange of information and, of course, in our great joint battle which we consistently wage against terrorism.

I would like to wish to the Minister all success in his important task and a happy new, peaceful and prosper year to our friends the Armenian people.

Allow me to mention Mr. Minister that during my visit to Armenia, it was heartbreaking to be received by the Armenian Officers, graduates of our Military Academies with Greek traditional songs and hymns.

I reassure you that the Hellenic Armed Forces have found their real brothers in the Armenian Armed forces, because our peoples have both been tried, but they stood at each other’s side. We will continue this cooperation irrespective of the developments in the wider region.”