The Minister of National Defence Mr. Panos Panagiotopoulos, attended the oath taking ceremony at the Hellenic Air Force Academy, where he performed the sabre award to the graduating Second Lieutenants.

After the completion of the ceremony, he made the following statement:

“It is a great honour for me personally, as well as for all the representatives of the Hellenic Parliament, to be here today at this magnificent graduation ceremony of the Hellenic Air Force Academy. Everything was so glorious in their frugality, which characterises our era.

I would like to congratulate the graduates, wish that God will give them strength and guidance so that they can complete their mission, be successful in their task and prove themselves worthy of the glorious traditions of the Hellenic Air Force and its great contribution to the country and the Nation.

I would like to stress out that even though we are experiencing difficult times, the government and, as I believe, all the members of the Hellenic Parliament stand by the Hellenic Armed Forces. We are trying to make their daily life less difficult and give them the necessary supplies in order for them to be able to complete their mission.

I would also like to emphasize the great importance of the fact that the cadets of the Hellenic Air Force Academy coming from various countries – besides the Republic of Cyprus – graduated today with their Greek classmates. What we, as political leadership of the Ministry of National Defence, want is for that tradition to continue, since these girls and boys are the best ambassadors for the principles and ideals of Hellenism to the four extents of the universe.

I wish to all good flights and all the best. Good luck to the task and the mission of the cadets graduating today from the Hellenic Air Force Academy”.