The strong resolve of Greece to ensure peace, security and stability in the broader region was proven by the successful shot of the S-300 missiles in Crete, which took place for the first time. This was the concept of the statement made by the Minister of National Defence Dimitris Avramopoulos, who ensures the Greek people that the Armed Forces guarantee integrity, stability and peace.
Mr. Avramopoulos made special reference to the exceptional contribution made by our Cypriot brothers, offering the S-300 systems to Greece, so as to reinforce the interdiction mechanisms against any possible threat.
The entire content of the statement made by the Minister of National Defence was the following:
“Today, here in Crete, we experienced a great event.
After 14 years, the first trial shot of one of the most modern defence systems that effectively ensure the country’s air-defence, the S – 300, took place.
You all saw the outcome; the shot was crowned with impressive success.
It was observed by the Defence Attachés of all allied countries and I had the opportunity to say that all those that were acquired by Greece thanks to the sacrifices made by the Greek people – in this case we should not forget that they were a contribution by our Cypriot brothers, since Glafkos Kliridis envisioned to reinforce Cyprus’ defence 15 years ago – are in good hands.
This was proven by the training, instruction, readiness, good preparedness of units that have been charged with the responsibility to keep this system alive, standing and ready.
This is the message addressed to Greek society: Despite the difficulties, the Greek people may feel safe and sure.
Our national defence system is always at the service of supreme and noble goals we are jointly called to serve, in a region that experiences lately a phase of uncertainty, fluidity and great insecurity.
Greece is here with its defence system, with its Armed Forces, its politics and interventions.
It plays, as I have repeatedly said, its corresponding role, since it is a reliable and serious country, the role of a peace, security and stability actor in the region.
Even though it might sound like a paradox, and possibly an oxymoron, what we lived here, with the successful shot of the S-300, is a message for peace and stability in South-Eastern Europe, the Balkans and Eastern Mediterranean”.