In the presence of the Minister of National Defence, Dimitris Avramopoulos, the final phase of the Field Exercise (FX) “Parmenion 2013” was completed today at the Exercise Field of “Kameno Dasos” in Lesvos.
The exercise was also attended by the Alternate Minister Fofi Gennimata, the Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanassis Davakis, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff General Michail Kostarakos, the Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff Lieutenant General Athanassios Tselios and the Chief of Hellenic Navy General Staff Vice Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis.
After the completion of the exercise, Mr. Avramopoulos made the following address:
“Today, here in Lesvos, an impressive exercise is completed; the Field Exercise PARMENION which was not performed for the past three years, yet the political and military leadership of the Ministry of National Defence mutually decided that it should be repeated.
The financial circumstance may have weighed down Greek economy; however it has not weighed down the spirit, as well as the potentials of the Hellenic defence system.
It is a special joy for me today, being here with my colleagues of the political leadership of the Ministry, the Alternate Minister Fofi Gennimata, the Deputy Minister Thanassis Davakis, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, the Chiefs of the three branches, as well as with the special presence of the island’s delegates.
The moments we have lived today prove that Greece, despite the difficulties of these times, still maintains one of the most trustworthy defence systems in Europe.
As the General rightly mentioned earlier, our goal is not to make war. We are a peaceful country and today this is the message we extend to all of our neighbours. Of course, we are always at the disposal of international rule of law so as to serve the supreme and noble principles, based on International Law.
For this reason, the Hellenic Armed Forces are present with strong flag presence, at all corners of this planet, wherever needed and as duty imposes.
Yesterday in Evros we also lived touching moments, moments of exaltation. The same happened here in Lesvos. We will convey the message to Greek society, as well as to all those who believe that Greece is weighed down.
Greece remains standing. One of the most important parts of our national system is our Armed Forces.
Today I would like to say a big thanks to the personnel of all ranks, from the leadership to the last soldier, in the name of the Hellenic State.
The State, Greek society, the Greek people, we all express our gratitude to the men and women in the Armed Forces, for they fulfil their duty with a sentiment of national responsibility, despite the fact that they have been among the first who experienced the consequences by the pressure of the financial circumstance.
We will stand by their side and soon, I would like to believe, when we will overcome this difficult situation, we will be able to respond once again to the basic needs of the personnel in the Hellenic Armed Forces, first replying to the one related to the dignity of themselves and their families.
With the opportunity I am given today, and since the message ensuing from this exercise will travel beyond our country’s frontiers, I would like to remind that our country still is a stable and stabilising agent in the broader region of South-Eastern Mediterranean and South-Eastern Europe.
I repeat that our policy is peaceful. Yet our readiness is certain. Greek citizens must feel safe. All of us, the ones that preceded and -currently- us, have made sure of that, creating an environment of security for our country and, particularly, our frontier regions.
The Greek people, for several decades, through big sacrifices, have equipped the Armed Forces with whatever best is available today at world scale, in the Air Force, the Army and the Navy.
Today, we have an obligation; to maintain and preserve this defence system and its accompanying equipment.
However, these metals would be nothing if the power in the soul of the Greek soldier did not exist. We have all realised that the valour that traditionally singularised the Hellenic Armed Forces is even higher.
Therefore, the messages we convey today to the Greek people from the island of Lesvos, this beautiful corner of our country, is that they can sleep soundly, feeling the security and certainty ensured by the Hellenic Armed Forces.
As far as the international community is concerned, we are always ready to respond to whichever mission we will be assigned, in the name of peace, security and cooperation.
Moreover, our neighbouring countries should know that our policy is a policy of good neighbourhood, proven in action. However, this does not invalidate our supreme sacred obligation to maintain this place proud, standing and independent. This is what unites all Greeks, since in this field there is no room for differences.
The country is above anything else. It is the place that joins us and inspires us. The Hellenic Armed Forces convey this message to Greek society. Reminding that their fundamental mission is to preserve and ensure the country’s integrity, as well as to protect Democracy itself.
Lately, much has been written and much has been heard. They are all groundless. The Hellenic Armed Forces are faithful to their oath and always ready to respond to their supreme duty. Today us, being the political leadership, we convey this message to the country’s political system and to Greek society.
Dear friends and compatriots, in the name of the Hellenic state, I would like to assure you, and through you all Greeks in all corners of our country, especially the frontier line, that you should feel safe. It is effectively accomplished by your delegates in the field of local administration and the central political scene.
The times when Greece was threatened or when some might dare or consider to scare her are gone for good. Greece remains standing and proud. It will further enhance its position in the world and, most importantly, it will effectively encounter these hard times that afflicted its prestige at international level and demoralized Greek society; always in the spirit of national understanding and unity.
No matter what level we represent in society, we all affirm it. And, today, the Hellenic Armed Forces are the guarantee of these words since, thanks to what we admired today and that extends from one corner of our country to the other, convey a powerful message that was accompanied, as you know, by the sirens that sounded in all towns and villages of our country, since everyone participated in this Pan-Hellenic exercise.
They were not alarm sirens, nor trouble sirens. They were the sirens conveying the message of security, certainty and pride of the Greek people.
Thank you”.