The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias represented the President of the Hellenic Government on 8 May 2025 at the celebrations that took place in Symi on the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the signing of the Protocol of Surrender of the Occupation Troops in the Dodecanese on 8 May 1945.
The Minister of National Defence, accompanied by the Chief HNDGS General Dimitrios Choupis, the Chief HAGS Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis and the Commander of the Higher Military Command on Interior and Islands Lieutenant General Emmanouil Theodorou, attended the Doxology at the Metropolitan Church of Saint Prodromos, officiated by His Eminence the Metropolitan Chrysostomos II of Symi, Tilos, Chalki and Kastelorizo, and then the memorial service, the laying of wreaths at the Memorial and the parade of sections of the 95 Higher National Guard Battalions Command and students.
In his address, Mr. Dendias noted the following:
It is a great honour and pleasure for me to be here, in Symi, today on the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of its Liberation.
On 8 May 1945, when World War II ended in Europe, democracy won over Nazism and fascism, here at the Command Post in Symi, the German forces signed their unconditional surrender.
That has been the last act of the World War II drama on European soil. Because a few hours before that, in Reims – France, General Jodl and Admiral Dönitz had signed the unconditional surrender of Germany before General Eisenhower.
Therefore, May 8th is a very important day; an important milestone for all those countries that fought against Nazism and fascism.
In other words, for those countries that performed their historical duty at great cost to their people.
As I always say, especially when I am addressing to non-Greek audiences, our Country lost almost 10% of its population during World War II.
We are proudly celebrating the Victory Day along with those countries that contributed to the victory over Nazism and fascism. And, of course, I am not including in the group of countries, those countries that have come at that time to declare war on Nazi Germany opportunistically in early 1945, with a clear outcome of the war.
May 8th here in the Dodecanese was the prelude to the Union to the National Backbone, which required however significant effort and time to be completed. It was achieved three years later, in 1948. As a result of a long, nationally righteous and historically mature battle.
Because the Dodecanese, despite the long periods of foreign occupation, had never lost and never betrayed their Hellenic identity and never abandoned the prospect of Union with Mother Greece.
Symi is at a special location in the Southeastern Aegean Sea. And our positions, both as regards Symi and as regards all other Aegean islands, are clear. The positions of the Hellenic Republic, regardless of political parties and Governments, are fully substantiated by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. A Convention that produces national rules also for non-signatory countries, in accordance with the case-law of the Court of Justice in the Hague. Article 121 (2) of the Convention provides that islands of all sizes are fully entitled to maritime zones.
And the Exclusive Economic Zone of Greece in the wider region of the Dodecanese is determined in the agreement between Egypt and Greece, which I had the honour of negotiating and signing in the name of the first Mitsotakis’ Government.
I should like to underline that there is no distinction in the Convention regarding the size of the islands. The rights do not depend on the size of the islands.
And any opinion that is beyond the foregoing, derogates from the applicable International Law in general and of course, from the European acquis.
The Aegean Sea has always been the area where our national responsibility and our national will are being challenged.
The product of such national responsibility is the “Agenda 2030” that we are implementing. The greatest reform ever of the Hellenic Armed Forces.
At the core of such reform is the new deterrence doctrine. A doctrine that fully exploits the capabilities, the modern platforms, but also the Aegean Sea’ geographical configuration.
The key point of this new deterrence planning is the “Achilles Shield”. A plan that covers all potential modern threats. A holistic approach that aims at armoring the territory and strengthening the deterrence effect of our Country.
Whatever done and implemented at the Ministry of National Defence is based on the profound insight into the indisputable historical truth. I have said that before. It has been illustrated almost 2500 years ago by Thucydides at the Melian Dialogue: “The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must”.
I do not belong to those who ignore the geopolitical and numerical reality. But I have to be absolutely honest with you.
It is neither nationally possible nor constitutionally permissible for the country to waive by way of relinquishment its sovereignty and sovereign rights, the International Law and the Law of the Sea, the European acquis and the agreement between Greece and Egypt and all the things that have been attributed to it.
And no one, I repeat, no one regardless of their power, should hope that Greece will act like that at any time, under any government of any political party.
It is clear that Greece and Greeks will always do what they have to do. Or as the Anglosaxons would say: “whatever it takes”.
Thank you very much”.
Earlier, the Minister of National Defence inaugurated the renovated Surveillance Outpost “AGIOS FANOURIOS”. The Minister of National Defence was welcomed at the Surveillance Outpost by the Commander of the 95 Higher National Guard Battalions Command (95 ADTE) “DIAGORIDON” Major General Spyridon Kogiannis and the Commander of the Symi Island Defence Command Colonel Charalampos Katiforis, followed by the inauguration ceremony and the blessing officiated by His Eminence the Metropolitan Chrysostomos II of Symi, Tilos, Chalki and the unveiling of an inscription.
Then, Mr. Dendias had a tour at the areas of the Outpost, was briefed on its staffing and had conversations with members and conscripts.
The celebrations for the Anniversary and the inauguration were also honoured with the presence of the Members of the Parliament Vasileios – Nikolaos Ypsilantis representing the Hellenic Parliament, Ioannis Pappas, Emmanouil Konsolas, Tsampika (Mika) Iatridi, Georgios Nikitiadis (representing also PASOK – Movement for Change political alliance), the Regional Governor of the Southern Aegean Sea Giorgos Chatzimarkos, the Mayor of Symi Eleftherios Papakalodoukas, the Mayor of Rhodes and President of the Regional Union of Municipalities of the Northern Aegean Alexandros Koliadis, the Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Panormitis in Symi Archimandrite Antonios Patros, representatives of Security Forces, entities, foreign diplomatic delegations and number of residents.
The inauguration ceremony was also attended by the donors Iro Vachari and Leonidas Kampanis.
In his address, the Minister of National Defence stated the following:
“It is a great honour for me to be here today. And some of you may know that I have a weakness for our border Outposts. From Othonoi to Panagia.
Therefore, my presence here today at the Surveillance Outpost “Agios Fanourios” of the Symi Island Defence Command is a pleasure and a great honour. And yet on a joyous occasion: the 80th Anniversary of the island’s liberation and the day that we are celebrating the end and the victory of World War II. The victory over the forces of fascism and Nazism.
Greece is situated at an unparalleled geopolitical crossroads and yet here, at its eastern borders the constant presence of our Armed Forces is necessary.
And the donation of Ms. Vachari and Mr. Kampanis constitutes also a substantial assistance to those who are defending these borders and are performing the highest task and function of protecting the Nation. But it is also the proof of a wider fact, a patriotic sentiment that is absolutely necessary.
I have to be absolutely honest with you, as soon as I describe what the country has to deal with simple figures.
A clear and manifest threat has been expressed against our Country nine times the size and spending ten times our budget.
Therefore, the effort made by all of us is a necessary condition for our national survival. It is an investment in our Country’s security and an investment in our common future.
Last year, in 2024, we at the Ministry launched a major initiative to activate something that exists in every Greek man and woman; the patriotism that leads to the donation to the Country.
From 350.00 euro donations in 2023, we reached 23.5 million euro in 2024. These amounts of money allowed us to a great extent to reform the infrastructure that provide the opportunity for the welfare of those who are serving the Country.
Ms. Vachari and Mr. Kampanis, I would like to express my sincere thanks to you. Not only for the donation, but mainly for your example, because that is what matters. The leverage of the example. And your friend, Vasilis Pateras, who is also here today, has also set the same example with his donation, just like many other prominent Hellenes.
And I should like to ask the Hellenic society to embrace that example. We cannot make it on our own and it is not certain that the Greek taxpayer’s hard-earned money that we are using is enough.
Concluding, I would like to express here today a sense of pride. A sense of pride for the members, men and women who are serving our Country, the Armed Forces and yet with courage, dedication and in a selfless way, away from their families.
At a time when the independent republics are being threatened by authoritarianism and revisionism, reminding to us all that on a day like this day, on the day of defeat of this authoritarianism, the fascism, and the Nazism, the freedom within which we all grew up should not be taken for granted.
We have to fight and contribute, in order to preserve such freedom for future generations, just like our fathers, grandfathers and grand grandfathers did for us.
And I believe that here, at our easternmost borders, this becomes clearer.
Thank you very much”.
