On Monday 02 October 2023, the Deputy Minister of National Defence Ioannis Kefalogiannis, visited the Air Force Academy, accompanied by the Chief/HAFGS Lieutenant General Themistoklis Bourolias, and announced the start of the works of the International Air Force Semester.
In his short address, the Deputy Minister stated that ERASMUS initiative is a reference point for the Officers shaping a common security and defence culture, as well as understanding, in order to face common security challenges. He also pointed out that the resultant training cooperations reinforce extroversion and gradually lead to the increase of the Armed Forces effectiveness.
In his address, Mr. Kefalogiannis stated the following:
“Representative of the Director of the European Security and Defence College,
Chief of the Air Force General Staff,
Commander of the Air Force Academy
Dean of the Air Force Academy
Commanders of the Air Force Academies,
Ms and Mr Officers,
Honourable professors,
Dear Students
Ladies and gentlemen,
My invitation to the Air Force Academy is a great honour for me, in order to announce the start of the works of the “International Air Force Semester”.
In this context, I would like to welcome the participants of a European Initiative, inspired by the ERASMUS programme, concerning the New Officers Exchange.
Undoubtedly, the global security environment is characterised by great changes, complexity and uncertainty, situations that affect both Europe and its surroundings. Unfortunately, the war in Ukraine proved that peace in some European regions is still fragile.
Furthermore, other frontier challenges, like organised crime and climate change, intensify uncertainty, the lack of order and complexity.
But beyond conventional threats, a new “grey zone” arises, which includes unconventional, yet equally dangerous threats. In this region, where vagueness rules, state and non-state actors use non military assets of any form to exercise influence on the security environment, causing security dilemmas to the peoples of Europe.
In the light of these threats, it is necessary to unite our efforts, in order to reinforce European peace and security.
Our Armed Forces must be flexible and capable to locate and prevent the occurrence of all these challenges to reinforce the collective security. Consequently, we owe to reinforce our cooperation in the defence sector to achieve these goals.
The development of understanding and collective mentality by the military personnel and especially the officers, is crucial for the achievement of the aforementioned goals.
So, it is a fact that the Military Erasmus Programme is a reference point regarding our efforts.
The exchange of Military Schools’ students establishes a common security and defence culture, spreads an updated knowledge and all lessons learned, and establishes bonds among officers of various countries, creating the conditions for future cooperation on the defence sector.
This procedure speeds up the synergy and effectiveness of the European Armed Forces.
The Ministry of National Defence and the Air Force General Staff actively encourage this initiative, which already has a positive impact on the Greek Armed Forces.
At this point, I would like to point out the crucial contribution of the European Security and Defence Academy in the development and promotion of this initiative.
The Academy provides unique opportunities to the students to reinforce extroversion and open the road for future cooperations. It serves as a model for other Defence Universities and Academies in all member nations, so that they work to achieve ambitious goals in the sector of the Common Security and Defence Policy.
Dear Participants,
This semester is a unique opportunity to acquire knowledge, experiences and get to know the Greek civilization.
So, I would like to ask you to work hard to support this effort and reinforce the relations with your Greek colleagues.
I would also like to congratulate all the contributors of this initiative, who worked hard to implement and promote it.
The Political and Military Leadership of the Ministry of National Defence and me personally will continue to support these outstanding and constructive initiatives.
Thank you.
