PANAGIOTIS RIGAS: THE ARMED FORCES IN THE SERVICE OF THE COUNTRY AND THE COMMUNITY
VISIT BY THE ALTERNATE MINISTER TO UNITS AND FORMATIONS IN THESSALONIKI
The Alternate Minister of National Defence, Panagiotis Rigas, accompanied by the Chief HAGS, Lieutenant General Alkiviadis Stefanis, visited this Thursday, September 6th 2018, Units and Formations in Thessaloniki.
The Alternate Minister during his visit to the Headquarters of the C’ Army Corps made particular reference to the role of training, stressing that training is directly related to the manner in which the Greek Armed Forces attain their goals. He also noted the Armed Forces’ crucial contribution to the defence of national independence and the country’s sovereignty, let alone its economic development. Furthermore, he pointed out that in economic crisis situations, the Armed Forces’ deterrent effect allowed Greece to maintain and strengthen its geopolitical role and to profile itself as a factor of stability in the area. He referred to the need for peace and stability in the Balkans that, as he stated, is being ensured by the resolution of all problems; fact that will further contribute to the economic development.
Then – during his visit to NRDC-GR Headquarters and addressing to its personnel – he emphasized the role of defence diplomacy. The mission of the allied Headquarters – as he stressed – is important, since by means of defence diplomacy it contributes to the establishment of relations between allied forces in Europe, fact that strengthens stability in the Balkans but also in the wider area. He pointed out that the allied forces may constitute a factor of peace in the area. He continued noting that military diplomacy has been always solving and is able to solve problems, while the use of weapons should be the last resort if and provided a country’s territorial integrity is under threat.
Then, he visited the 424 General Field Hospital, where addressing to the medical and nursing personnel, he emphasized their mission and their role, while he urged them to contribute even further by doing a service to the society in the area of Macedonia.
The Alternate Minister also visited the Court Martial, the War Museum, the Mental Health Centre, the Dental Clinic and the Thessaloniki Garrison Officers’ Club.
Tomorrow, Friday, he will visit Units and Formations in Xanthi, while afterwards he will attend the events in the framework of the opening of Thessaloniki International Fair 2018.
The full wording of the Alternate Minister Panagiotis Rigas’ speech given to the personnel of the C’ Army Corps at the amphitheatre of the War Museum in Thessaloniki is as follows:
“Chief,
General – Commander of the C’ Army Corps and NATO Rapid Deployable Corps, Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Soldiers and Civilian Personnel,
It is with great pleasure that I am here in Thessaloniki, the Co-capital of Greece, the seat of the C’ Army Corps and NRDC-GR multinational Headquarters.
It is a special moment for me to be next to the members of the Army, the Soldiers and the Civilian Personnel serving here.
The area of responsibility of the C’ Army Corps constitutes an integral part of our country’s defence web and a crucial factor for the operational planning of the Armed Forces, covering the vital part of Northern Greece that includes Epirus, Macedonia, as well as Corfu, Diapontia Islands and Thasos, occupying 1/3 of the Greek Territory and being an area of potential development of asymmetric threats.
You carry out a significant national task on a daily basis and I would like to stress as of the beginning that we are proud of you. You play a key role to the safeguarding of defence and the establishment of the sense of security across the Greek people.
Given that 11 countries (apart from our Country) participate in the NRDC-GR Headquarters and that the latter participates in NATO trainings, exercises, conferences and meetings both in Greece and abroad, it constitutes one of the mort important “tools” of Defence Diplomacy.
The responsibility, discipline and enthusiasm that characterize the entire military and civilian personnel evidence your everyday willingness to defend our territorial integrity and our national interests.
The political and military leadership of the Ministry of National Defence, being fully aware of the difficulties and the problems under which you carry out your high mission, constantly implements actions for the improvement of the living conditions of you and your families.
You should feel proud of the task you have undertaken, as well as of the fact that you have dedicated a large part of your life to the service of the Country and the community.
Greek society itself recognizes that; because your contribution does not only consist in honoring your role as a defender of the country’s territorial integrity and independence, but also in the everyday life of each Greek citizen, since you are standing next to him whenever necessary.
The Armed Forces, along with their key mission, constitute a main source of provision of social work. They are standing next to Greek citizens and by a number of actions, they contribute to search and rescue, air evacuation, the prevention and fighting of forest fires, the health support of citizens living in outermost regions, voluntary blood donation, the dealing with the consequences of natural disasters, the construction of minor technical works and to the provision of any kind of assistance whatsoever to fellow citizens in need.
For this reason, you are getting foremost credit from the people and public recognition and you earn the nation’s gratitude. Your country has entrusted you with its future and the Greek people with the ensuring of their peace and prosperity.
Those who are scheming against the rights of our Country should be aware that we are going to be worthy of our ancestors’ self-sacrifice, but also our debt to the nation.
And at this point, I would like to highlight the Armed Forces’ role and contribution to the exit of our Country from the memoranda.
Since, at a time when our Country’s degree of economic freedom and independence was limited, the preservation of combat effectiveness and the strengthening of the deterrent effect of the Greek Armed Forces are those that ensured stability and did not allow any third player to think that the region’s status quo might change. Today is a new day.
Our country’s exit from the clutches of memorandum austerity marks the start of the transition to post-memorandum era and the return to normality.
Time has finally come for Greece to regain permanently and fully its economic sovereignty and independence.
The moment that the responsibility for policies selected reverts to the government elected by the people and not to foreign technocrats that are imposing their will on us.
We have been struggling for the last three years to keep the country from falling off the cliff of disorderly default, keeping at the same time the Society on its feet.
It is time for million of Greek people who went through some rough times to reap the benefits of their struggles and sacrifices.
Our country is turning over a new leaf. We are now giving way to a period where austerity will be replaced more and more by social justice; where democracy will prevail again over imposition; where stability, safety and confidence will replace uncertainty and unease.
The price of the memorandum era was very high and probably not necessary; but all this belongs to yesterday.
It is up to us not to repeat the mistakes of the past; to put all this malaise that has been a thorn in the side of Greece for decades to an end.
Post-memorandum Greece should be and will be another country.
Along with the exit from memoranda and supervision, the uplift of the expectations of Greek people and mainly of social strata that paid the highest price should be signified.
What we need to do now is to pursue development on solid bases. And in order to do this, it should be fair; there should be a fair and socially balanced redistribution of wealth.
As regards the question that I know is of concern to you – and quite rightly – meaning the repayment with retrospective effect of the amounts owed to you, I would like to repeat what I said yesterday, when I was asked about this by a journalist: The government’s economic team currently finalizes what is about to be announced by the Prime Minister.
The implementation of the Council of State’s decision on military officers lies in this connection. There will be an integrated proposal in the Thessaloniki International Fair on post-memorandum era and this is going to be reflected in the state budget.
Concluding, I would like to thank the local society of Thessaloniki for the love with which it surrounds you and to wholeheartedly wish you and your families good health.
Thank you”.
