Greece defends itself with defensive and deterrent means at a time when revisionist and destabilizing views threaten and undermine the principles of international law, good neighborly relations and peace and stability in our wider region. The defense of our homeland is carried out with the help of interventions in three areas: in weapons systems, in defense diplomacy and human resources. This was emphasized by the Minister of National Defense Nikos Panagiotopoulosspeaking today at the Armed Forces Day event at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.

“Greece,” he continued, “defends itself on the basis of an organized comprehensive plan, prioritized in terms of needs, with seriousness, professionalism, transparency and efficiency.”

“We take care of the modernization of our weapons systems with the supply of new, modern ones, as well as with the parallel updating of existing ones. We are working methodically towards defense diplomacy, improving relations and expanding alliances with Greece,” he explained, adding: “A central component of our policy is the implementation of actions that contribute to the improvement of the daily life of the personnel of the armed forces. armed forces. At the same time, we strive to further develop his abilities, working methodically to improve both the military and academic training of personnel.

“We pay tribute to the immortal contribution of the Armed Forces to ensuring peace, freedom and democracy. To ensure the territorial integrity and national independence of our country,” he said.

“The Armed Forces have written pages of brilliant glory” in the armed struggle, he added and stressed: “The geopolitical situation is complex. Security concerns are escalating. The armed forces manage to adequately respond to the national need for security and peace, effectively responding to any challenges, no matter where they come from.

For his part, the head of GEETHA, General Konstantinos Floros, emphasized, among other things, that for two centuries “the Greek armed forces have played a leading role in all, without exception, bloody, but also brilliant battles of the Nation, which brought the modern Greek state to the form that it has today, starting from a poor corner of the Balkan Peninsula.”

“Today,” he added, “the Greek armed forces have the highest operational capabilities since the creation of the Greek state… We have never been so strong and with such prospects,” he specified.

The armed forces “are successfully fulfilling their mission, which is to ensure national defense, that is, to protect national independence, protect the territorial integrity of Greece and, to the absolute extent, protect Greek citizens from any external threat or attack,” the statement said. head of GEETHA.

According to him, the event is “dedicated to the women and men of our Armed Forces,” as we “celebrate as a whole, as a single and inseparable multi-branch family, regardless of origin, rank and branch of service.”

He did not fail to personally thank Mrs. Irini Katzoturchi for her presence, “our Mrs. Rinio of Kinaros, who is here with us today to reward her”, as she characteristically said.

The event was attended by, inter alia, singer Gerasimos Andreatos, actor Grigoris Valtinos, EPOP tenor sailor Andreas Karaoulis, pianist Stelios Kerasidis, musical conductor Alexandros Lisardopoulos and an interdisciplinary orchestra, singer Anastasia Moutsatsu, soprano Evdokia Moisidou, Yulia Tzanetoulakou and the children of the CON-choir. ANIMA, journalist Vicky Flessa and sculptor Nikos Floros.

Among others, President of the Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Minister of Immigration Policy Notis Mitarakis, Minister of Shipping Yiannis Plakiotakis, Deputy Minister of National Defense Nikos Hardalias, Deputy Minister of Health Zoe Rapti “attended” the event. , the head of the GES, Lieutenant General Charalambos Lalouzis, the head of the GEN, Vice Admiral Stylianos Petrakis, the head of the GEA, Vice Admiral Themistocles Burolias, parliamentarians, representatives of the local government and the church, and officers of the Armed Forces.

^{Source: RES-IPE}