The Minister of National Defence Mr. Panos Panagiotopoulos visited today the C’ Army Corps Headquarters in Thessaloniki, where he was briefed by the Commander, Lieutenant General Georgios Bassiakoulis on matters of his pertinence, and he discussed with the political and military personnel. At the same time, Mr. Panagiotopoulos had the chance to visit NATO Deployable Corps Greece (NDC-GR), where he held discussions with the HQ military personnel.
Afterwards, Mr. Panagiotopoulos attended the oath taking ceremony of new officers at the Military School of Combat Support Officers, where he performed a sabre award ceremony for the graduate officers.
After the end of the ceremony, the Minister of National Defence made the following statement:
“Today is a very important day for all the Officers graduating from the Military School of Combat Support Officers. It is an honour for me to perform the sabre award ceremony.
I would like to congratulate our children, girls and boys that graduated from a very important and historical school. I am certain that they will have a bright career in the Armed Forces, as well as in their scientific work.
I would also like to congratulate the HQ and the teachers for the work they perform. Moreover, I would like to underline that the vigour, the spirit, the smiles and the high level I discovered today among the graduates, but also the students of the Military School of Combat Support Officers, give out a very optimistic message during the hard circumstance we are experiencing. With persistence, unanimity and solidarity all Greeks are trying to overcome the hardship, stand on our feet and gaze into the future with optimism.
The Balkan Wars of 1912-1913 and October 28, the anniversaries of which we are celebrating these days, give us a message of optimism, a message of reformation, of strike to the problems faced by our country, so as to quickly be able to prove that, even under these circumstances, we can be winners.
At the Balkan Wars of ’12, Greece doubled its territory. Currently, we give a battle, a financial war of a completely different kind and dimension. However, we can get out of this war, this battle, winners when we are united in obstinacy.
The best of luck to these young people; my best wishes for strength to their parents; congratulations to all of you”.
