“First of all I would like to thank my good friend and colleague, Panos Panagiotopoulos, for his welcome.

I can’t hide that passing through the entrance of the Pentagon, I was moved, as I did not feel like entering, rather than coming back. The memories are still fresh, it has only been a year, as the Minister said earlier, since we said farewell in this very place.
Of course all of us in politics, we do not know what to expect in the next day. Governments come and go, Ministers come and go. However, it is important that politicians have an opinion and an insight on how institutions work.
The Ministry of National Defence and the Armed Forces are a supreme institution, ensuring this country’s national independence and protecting its sovereign rights. The Armed Forces’ sector always declares ready to respond to its duty.
You remember me saying in the past that it is in these areas where the heart of another Greece vibrates; Greece of duty, of honour and of obligation.
During these difficult times, indeed, as described by the Minister earlier, we are all called to rise to the circumstances of our mission.
The Ministry of National Defence, along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are the two pillars on which lean the country’s foreign policy, national policy for its security.
I would like to confirm, and also remind, that during all this time we were at an open line of understanding and cooperation with Panos Panagiotopoulos. The two ministries had developed relations of excellent understanding, which was obvious by the tangible results recorded last year.
A period during which Greece, despite the fact that its status was hurt at international level, due to what accompanied the generalised financial crisis, managed to amend its image, declare dynamically once more its presence and role, and gradually become a respected power in our broader region, and not only.
The description of the relations developed during the ministership of Panos Panagiotopoulis, is declaratory of the way the Ministry conceived its mission. And I must say to you, dear Panos, that all this is practically recognised and honoured.
It is a special honour for me to receive today the Ministry and the leadership of this country’s Armed Forces by your hands. You have fulfilled a great function, which is publicly recognised; however, above anything else, by the military and civilian personnel of the Armed Forces, themselves. For the times are really difficult.
I agree with what you underlined at the end of your speech. I always believed that national understanding and consent are the prerequisite for this country to move forward; especially during crisis periods, such as the one our country currently experiences. This is what this Government represents.
On the other hand, I would like to positively declare that, just like when I was Minister of National Defence, I am also now pleased to say that this was the policy followed by Panos Panagiotopoulos. The political parties, though well respected, can have no possibility to intervene to the operation of the Armed Forces’ national system.
They have an important mission to perform in the Parliament and elsewhere, they are always welcome here – as they were in the past – so that they will be briefed on developments and matters pertaining to the Armed Forces. However, interventionism by political parties will not be allowed during Avramopoulos’ ministership. For this reason, all the people currently surrounding me may belong to political parties, yet we are driven by this very concept.
It is very important that during these times, Greek citizens feel safe. For they are the ones that have given us a year ago, with their vote, the order: “Communicate, cooperate, agree”. And this is what the Ministry of National Defence firmly stands for. At this moment, i would like to point out once more this independent stance and policy practiced by Panos Panagiotopoulos during the past year.
The problems are great and will not be magically resolved, since no one has the magic wand. Yet I would like to assure you – and I principally address the cadres and personnel of the Armed forces – that, just like then, jointly with the military leadership, we will carry on putting up a bank towards anything that might threaten the Armed Forces, wherever it comes from.
Cohesion and organisation of the Armed Forces’ system will be ensured and further enhanced.
I said all that because I am certain that at this modest and symbolic ceremony, the personnel of the Armed Forces wait to hear a responsible and serious address, since we cannot overlook reality. The wages cuts during the past two years have led their living to the brink of their dignity.
And, I may still hear here the same phrases I heard then, that even if the country will give us nothing, we will shed our blood for it if necessary, yet we cannot rely on this assertion. As political leadership, we must stand up and assume initiatives; for the reason that besides machines, besides equipment, besides weapon systems, there is also the person. And we know very well that the soul of the Hellenic Army should remain at the highest levels.
The situation has altered since past eras, when Greece had open threats and challenges. However, the unforeseen always ambushes and our national system should always be prepared. Therefore, at a high readiness index, with enhanced personnel and the modern weapon systems all branches have, which we will have to keep and maintain, our country will be a potent deterrent factor for all kinds of threats in the broader region.
At this point, I would like to say that we shall continue in the same direction as far as the country’s international presence is concerned. Flag attendance is very important even during the financial crisis, since it shows and declares that Greece is a stable and stabilising agent in its broader geopolitical environment.
And this is our responsibility; the Ministry’s of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry’s of National Defence responsibility. During the past year, exactly due to the fact that we had this kind of understanding, we managed to raise the success index as far as the externalisation of our policy is concerned.
I wouldn’t like to further tire you. I am very proud for assuming again my duties as Minister of National defence. As head of the country’s Armed Forces, you should know that I will expend all my powers so as to be close to the people, who are the soul and strength of our Armed Forces. However, above all, by developing a series of initiatives that will strengthen even more the country’s presence and role in a better environment.
Policy that relies on International Law, without ever ignoring the fact that this has many times been violated. However, on the other hand, along with the openings for friendship and cooperation, we also send a clear message of decisiveness as far as our national duty towards our country is concerned.
My dear Panos, we say farewell today. Roles are to change a little. You are leaving Defence to go to Culture, without that meaning that here there was no culture. I would say that another expression of a civilised national system is the way this sector here works; with rules, principles, values that, if we could communicate them to the broader Greek society, many of these images afflicting us from times to times, would exist no more, would have disappeared. This is why I referred earlier to Greece of duty, of honour and of principles.
From now on, you are going to serve cultural values and, with the experience and knowledge you have gained from the key positions you have served, but also your previous life experience, I am certain that there too you will demonstrate positive results. On behalf of all of us, I wish it from all my heart.
On my side, I would like to thank both your Deputy Ministers, former cadres of the Armed Forces; both General Karambelas and honorary chief Mr. Elefsiniotis, because during this whole period, they were your important helpers and assistants.
I would also like to express my satisfaction for having once more the pleasure of cooperating with the military leadership of the Armed Forces. Chief, we will not need to preface on our cooperation. We will simply continue towards the same direction, in the same spirit, with the same values, the same principles and the great vision of seeing this country overcoming the crisis with force, strength, pride and prestige, so deservedly represented by the men and women of our Armed Forces.
Once more thank you, I wish all the best to my good friend, Panos Panagiotopoulos”.