Officers, NCOs, Soldiers, Seamen, Airmen and Civilian Personnel of the Armed Forces. 

These six months I was in charge of the country’s Armed Forces, I shared with all of you the thoughts which will remain in my memory and my heart. Leaving today, I carry the best impressions for the vital task you fulfil, as well as for the vigour, spirit and effectiveness of our national defence system, which guarantees our country’s security, independence and integrity.

Despite the conditions and the difficulties that this financial circumstance has induced and despite the fact that the consequences have already been perceived by you and your families, you did not strike the flag of duty and you send out a message of optimism, pride and endurance, to all the suffering Hellenic society.

During this period, the political and military leadership of the Armed Forces, we managed to preserve and reinforce the vested rights of the military and civilian personnel, based on the safeguarding of our cadre’s dignity.

At defence level, with targeted actions, we declared our presence, as a stable and stabilising agent in the broader region, putting ourselves in service of peace, cooperation, security and stability.

We sent out a message of certitude, confidence and strength, to all directions, but also a message of social consideration to all suffering groups of the Hellenic society.

At the same time, by contributing to the confrontation of fiscal issues faced by the Hellenic economy and without making the slightest derogation as far as the effectiveness of the Armed Forces are concerned, we adopted policies of transparency, resource saving and honourable management.

At operational level, we stopped all redundant new equipment, while ensuring the conservation of important defence infrastructure, while at the same time reinforcing the prestige of our defence system which, thanks to all of you, maintains a special position at global level.

Yet, the Armed Forces’ mission never ceases and you are its heart, the personnel of all grades and levels, men and women, who with self-denial, selflessness, national sensitivity and conscience of your patriotic duty, perform in full your national mission, every day.

This is the other Greece I have lived close to you.

Greece of duty, honour, values and offer.

As your political leader, but also as a Greek citizen, I express to you today the public recognition and my own gratitude, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your cooperation; let me assure you that this great family of the Armed Forces has gained one more member.

I express my warm thanks to your military leadership, for the high level of administration exercised, as well as for the excellent cooperation we had. Consistent and devoted to its duty, the Armed Forces’ military leadership fully fulfils its mission, responding to the commands of the state, of Democracy, of the country.

Wishing to the new Minister of National Defence, General Frangoulis Frangos, success in his duties and to all of you health and strength at personal, family and business level, I leave with the best and sincerest feelings of deep appreciation, recognition of your work, and real love.

Dimitris Avramopoulos