The Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikolaos Chardalias, participated on Friday, 13 November 2021 as a keynote speaker at the Conference “Providing Security in Unsecure Times. Greece’s Position in a Changing International Environment” organized by the Greek Association for Atlantic and European Cooperation (GAAEC) in Ioannina.

The Deputy Minister of National Defence participated in the Conference’s session “New world and regional partnerships today; NATO – EU, Consequences for Greece”, coordinated by Ms. Despina – Ino Afentouli, Program Manager, Public Diplomacy – NATO and with the Member of the Parliament Mr. Giorgos Katrougkalos and the Ambassador ad Honorem Mr. Alexandros Mallias being the speakers. The event was introduced and coordinated by the GAAEC Chairman, Mr. Theodosios Georgiou, while addresses were given by the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Mr. Konstantinos Tasoulas, the Regional Governor of Epirus Mr. Alexandros Kachrimanis and the Mayor of Ioannina, Mr. Moses Elisaf.

The following speakers also participated in the Conference: the Minister of Digital Governance Mr. Kyriakos Pierrakakis and the Deputy Minister for Citizen Protection, responsible for Anti-Crime Policy, Mr. Eleftherios Oikonomou.

In his address “Greece’s position today; a factor of security and reliable Partner in NATO and the EU”, the Deputy Minister of National Defence stated the following:

“It is with great honor and pleasure that I am here today before a special audience and for that, I would like to thank the Greek Association for Atlantic and European Cooperation most sincerely for its kind invitation.

Before I begin, I would like to congratulate your Association for continuing its multifaceted work for 30 years now with the same vigor and for contributing significantly to citizens’ training and education on issues pertaining to geopolitical balances and changes, always focusing on promoting Greece’s role in all fields of cooperation with the Euro Atlantic Alliance.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The wider region of Eastern Mediterranean Sea and Middle East has always been the core of interests and interaction of powerful global and regional actors. Greece located in the intersection of three continents, has gained a high geopolitical value, which apart from potential benefits, is charging our Country with the responsibility of maintaining security and peace.

The world changes; and changes now take place at alarmingly high speeds. The international security environment is now multi-factorial, multi-dimensional and fluid. These characteristics also render it uncertain. The osmosis between societies, in conjunction with changing demographic elements, but also the emergence of new powerful centers of power (China) results in competition and instability. The national geographical borders are no longer the borders of conflicts; fact that renders the need for prompt recognition and identification of threats an imperative and key condition for maintaining security in our society.

New forms of threats have been added to the already known ones. Cyberwar, hybrid war and new forms of terrorism have replaced the traditional mechanism of direct conflict. At the same time, easy access to information, in conjunction with the increasing volume of information handled in the social media have rendered the internet a key tool for those who aim at creating a situation of instability.

The “instrumentalisation” of situations emanating from armed conflicts thousands of kilometers away from the Eastern Mediterranean sea (Afghanistan, Somalia) and from the exploitation of the dream of economically weaker societies for a better future in Europe, now constitutes a common practice for actors who wish to increase their geopolitical influence and dream about reestablishing past empires. Our Country has very recently experienced this new practice of “pressure”, in the form of immigrant flows, who were practically led to enter forcibly Greece through the land borders in Evros.

However, as regards our Country, pressure is not exhausted in the exploitation of immigrant flows. Challenging behaviors, the threat of use of military force, the unsubstantial theories for claiming land and sea areas, as well as the challenging of our sovereign rights contribute to the creation of a climate of tension and destabilization in the region.

As far as the wider region is concerned, armed conflicts such as: the war in Syria, the almost endless and from times to times resurgent tension in Palestine, the conflicts in Libya, the financial and political crisis in Lebanon, the civil war in Yemen and the constantly competitive relationship between Iran and the West, form components of instability that have a social, political and financial effect upon almost all countries.

Energy security constitutes itself a separate chapter for the new challenges that Europe and NATO have to deal with.

Climate change has turned into a climate crisis and environmental protection does no longer involve the handling of a cost – benefit problem. It is a problem of international security, especially in politically unstable countries with poor level of infrastructure. The livelihood insecurity as a result of the climate crisis constitutes a tangible and asymmetric threat against law-abiding states. In other words, it constitutes an important factor that affects the international security environment within the framework of an interdependent world.

In this fragile and volatile environment, Greece should be and is a significant factor of stability. Our Country’s political stability, let alone its reliability, its foreign policy based on international institutions and the principles of International Law and its commitment to Democracy are the key and at the same time the most powerful guarantees of success of this very important and demanding role.

As a country, we have a mature behavior, always in compliance with International Law and the Law of the Sea.

Greece is now playing a leading role. It has always committed itself to contribute to a stable and secure environment in Eastern Mediterranean Sea, promoting good neighborly relations and cooperation with all the countries in the wider region. The “administrative” policy of international developments belongs to the past. Now, the adoption of a policy with options of a strategic nature is required.

The Greek Armed Forces support this effort and contribute significantly to highlighting our Country as a factor of security. With high professionalism, determination, but at the same time with composure and prudence.

The quality of the Greek Armed Forces, as well as their constant and effective presence where required, receive praises from our Allies and constitute the necessary diplomatic “instrument” available to the Greek Government in its effort to deal with new threats.

This effort requires coordinated steps towards many directions. The formation of Partnerships is definitely a rational option. No country is in a position to deal itself with new complex threats. In these times of globalization, synergies are necessary and ensure interaction between countries that are infused with the common principles of Democracy, respect towards human rights, freedom and equality.

Through partnerships and synergies, our Country’s geopolitical footprint is upgraded. The frequency of our contacts even with non-NATO and EU member-states implies that our relations with these countries are deepening and we are now being recognized as a powerful and reliable factor in this sensitive region.

Our Country, being a NATO member as of 1952, remains a key and consistent country in a peculiar region with many tensions and conflicts. In this turbulent region, Greece is a country that has up to this day a firm line without hesitations and dilemmas as to where it belongs. It has been and still is the guardian of values of the contemporary western civilization.

Our main principle within NATO has been and still is the compliance with our commitments and obligations in the framework of the Alliance. Besides, we have no choice but to be faithful to the traditions of Greece that throughout its history has always honored its partnerships. Mutual trust, unity and respect for Democracy represent the foundation, but also the power source of every Partnership.

Within the EU, we are moving along the agreed by all Member-States lines of foreign policy and security policy, which aim at maintaining peace, at strengthening international security, at promoting international cooperation and at developing and establishing Democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Our strategy is based on three priorities. The response to foreign conflicts and crises; the development of partners’ skills and the protection of EU and its citizens.

Looking ahead, in a world that is changing very fast, we are moving along the axes that ensure peace and stability and lead to development and prosperity.

With extroversion, faith to our values, respect for the human being, a spirit of cooperation, commitment to our Partnerships, but also zero tolerance to unreasonable and unlawful claims, we are moving ahead with only one goal in mind. Greece should have the key role that is in line with its history and its position and should undertake initiatives for the new bets and the new challenges of the time.

Thank you very much”.