Following the handover ceremony of the Ministry of National Defence from Mr. Dimitris Avramopoulos to Mr Frangoulis Frangos, the following statements were made:
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: I welcome the caretaker Minister, General Frangoulis Frangos, at the Ministry of National Defence, a very familiar and well-known environment to him.
During the six months, since November 2011, when I assumed my duties as Minister of National Defence, our Ministry stood at the height of its mission, showing and bringing forth the force, the deterrent capability, the efficiency and effectiveness of our country’s Armed Forces.
Leaving this Ministry, I would like to thank the military leadership and all the cadres of the Armed Forces, as well as the civilian personnel, for their high spirit and hard work that they showed while fulfilling their mission.
National understanding was expressed and demonstrated in the most indisputable way at the Ministry of National Defence where, as you know, adversary political parties, in a spirit of admirable cooperation, cultivated and shielded the national interest. Since, especially during these critical times, our national defence and our country need us all.
So, I would like to welcome the new Minister. I wish him with all my heart good luck at the fulfilment of his duties, which will be the subsequence of a successful presence in the country’s Armed Forces.
Welcome and good luck.
F. FRANGOS: Mister Minister, Mister Dimitris Avramopoulos, it is a special honour for me for the time this caretaker Government, which took an oath according to the commands of our Constitution, shall mediate, in order to lead the country to the election of June 17th smoothly, with security and calmness. And immediately after, within a rational period of time, the formation of a political Government is expected, which will continue its mission.
It is certain that I not only take over from a competent Minister, but from a Minister who is an adept of the broader area, due to his diplomatic experience. He is well aware of the area, he knows exactly what is changing currently in the broader region after the Arab Spring and all what is broadening our geopolitical horizon, having as a result for our country to have at present – according to my estimations but also as Mr. Minister underlined to me – a special and important role to play.
The unfavourable financial circumstance has possibly troubled us however, as Mr. Minister stated in the Reception Hall, there are no thoughts whatsoever for any slithers in matters of national sovereignty and this will be cherished and I believe, Mister Minister, that I will not fail you.
I would like to take leave of him and wish to have the luck to see him here again, as Minister.
