The Minister of National Defence Dimitris Avramopoulos, accompanied by the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Michail Kostarakos and the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff Vice Admiral Evaggelos Apostolakis, visited yesterday the frigate “SALAMIS” at the Naval Bay of Salamis, in order to thank and congratulate the crew for the successful operation of the evacuation of Greek and foreign nationals from the port of Tripoli in Libya.
In his address, Mr. Avramopoulos underlined, among other things:
“I am here to extend to you the State’s congratulations and our gratitude, for you have proven with this operation, which was fortunately completed without any problems, the high level characterizing the Hellenic Navy and the Hellenic Armed Forces as a whole.
We experience a difficult period for our country, yet Greece remains active in its geopolitical environment, disposing a powerful means and tool, its national defence system which, further than its objective to defend our country’s integrity and independence, is always ready to respond to anything that contributes to the stability, peace and security in the broader region which, as you all know, experiences a period of instability and incertitude...
... Through the excellent planning, the high level of professionalism and the unparalleled spirit, you responded to this mission and successfully completed it. At this very point I would like to especially refer to something we shouldn’t overlook: all those we dispose would have no value if the spirit and the morale of the Hellenic Armed Forces did not exist.
Today you receive more than the congratulations and recognition by the Greek State, and also by the countries whose nationals were among the 186 evacuated and who publicly and officially express their gratitude to Greece.
The political and military leadership, we all were close to you throughout the operation, with the thought and wish that you return home safely; because behind you all lays of course the great family of the Hellenic Navy and the Armed Forces yet, above all, behind each and every one of you lay your families, your parents, your siblings, your relatives and friends who were sending you, of course, messages of love and prayers but who also had deep inside them the agony for what might emerge.
On behalf of the Greek State, I would like to ask you to please convey to your families our acknowledgement and recognition for their own contribution to your effort to keep your morale at a high level.
These are the elements that composed this mission: your professionalism, your courage, your efficiency, your principles and morale that accompany you during your career in the Hellenic Navy...
I would like to thank you and wish that your path will always be safe, that you will assume missions and always complete them, that you feel the pride that comes with the success of such missions, but also the recognition, gratitude and love of the Greek people, of Greek society who, during this difficult circumstance, receives by the great family of the Armed Forces messages of courage, self-denial and devotion to duty.
I wish the best of luck to your course and hope that you feel that we are proud of your existence and we would like you to keep your high spirit, your effectiveness and your devotion to our flag which waves with pride and prestige to all corners of this planet.
Thank you and I would like to wish that the operations and missions you assume will always be safe, since the country, the Armed Forces and your families are behind you all”.