The political and military leadership of the Ministry of National Defence attended the handover-takeover ceremony between the outgoing Chief of Hellenic Army General Staff General Christos Manolas and the newly appointed Chief Lieutenant General Vasilios Tellidis, held at Hellenic Military Academy.

The political and military leadership also attended the handover-takeover ceremony between the outgoing Chief of Hellenic Air Force General Staff General Evangelos Tournas and the newly appointed Chief Lieutenant General Christos Vaitsis, held at Hellenic Air Force Academy.

The Minister of National Defence Panos Kammenos addressed the following statement during the Chief of HAGS’ handover-takeover ceremony:

“On behalf of the government, of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and of the Political Leadership of the Ministry of National Defence, I wish to thank the outgoing Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff General Christos Manolas in public for the service he offered to the Hellenic Army and the Armed Forces.

I wish to thank him, in particular, for the cooperation we have had over this short period of time, as well as for his entire career in the Army, which constitutes and will constitute an example in the future.

He is an officer, who started from the Hellenic Military Academy, he served in the Special Forces, successfully at all posts in which he was appointed, respecting our Homeland’s ideals, respecting our Nation, his superiors and those who had the chance to follow his orders.

I also wish to thank him for the moral values which he showed over his entire career and which will be an example in the future.

The most difficult moment for a Minister is the time of new appointments. New appointments do not imply that an officer who was not proved suitable is retired, but that an era is ending.
 
Chief,
 
I really want, speaking from the depths of my heart, to tell you that I am proud for having served with you over this short period of time. Greece is proud of you. You are going with your head high. You will be an example to all of us.

I want to award you this badge on behalf of the Ministry of National Defence and to wish you to have courage and happy life, now along with your family.

We thank you very much.”

The Minister of National Defence Panos Kammenos addressed the following statement during the Chief of HAFGS’ handover-takeover ceremony:

“Chief,

On behalf of the Prime Minister, of the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence and of the Political Leadership of the Ministry of National Defence, I wish to thank you for all this period during which you served as Chief of Hellenic Air Force, for the few days’ time during which we cooperated closely, but also for your whole career in the Hellenic Air Force in which you were an exemplary officer, an exemplary family man, an exemplary pilot.

You have always served taking into account what is right, where the interests of the Force lie, what is good for our Nation, our Homeland, how to protect the territorial integrity of our country. You have always served by respecting the discipline towards your superiors, and by inspiring discipline and respect to your subordinates.

I hope and wish the Archangels to be with you in your civilian life, as they were with you during your entire career.

At this point I want to tell you that after your retirement you remain in the reserve force, as everybody, and you will be valuable advisors for us and for the next Political leaders of the Ministry of National Defence”.

I would like to announce that the Political leadership of the Ministry of National Defence to introduce a limited tenure for the Chiefs of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, as well as for the Chiefs of the three General Staffs. We will consider 2+1 years or 2+2 years, in order to ensure a better function of the Armed Forces.

I thank you from the depths of my heart. I wish the next Chiefs to follow your example, to show the same worthiness and contribution to our Homeland.”