The Minister of National Defence Dimitris Avramopoulos attended today the celebration ceremony for the feast of St. George, patron saint of the Land Forces, which was held at the Infantry School, in Chalkida.
Mr. Avramopoulos was accompanied by the entire military leadership of the country.
The Minister of National Defence addressed the following statement:
“Your Eminence,
Chiefs,
Dear colleagues of the Parliament,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I do not think that this is a day to talk too much about because what we feel is more important than what somebody can describe in a few words. Since I am politically responsible for the Armed Forces of the country, I will tell you that I am also, above all as a citizen, proud, as well as safe when I realise that the Hellenic Armed Forces, despite the adversities and difficulties caused by our times, they preserve as best as possible their battle-worthiness, their capability to deter any threat which may arise at any time.
Things, of course, have changed. Our times are different and the Armed Forces themselves follow the way of modernisation and upgrade. What I said earlier is relevant not only to the personnel but also to another important discovery: that our country has one of the most reliable and effective defence systems in Europe and worldwide.
Today, in this beautiful and full of symbolisms, plain ceremony, we brought our memories back and paid homage to the Greek Infantry which is the first Corps that was established after the country’s liberation and which has collected laurels of glory and honour in the battlefields, as well as in peacetime.
The Greek infantry has been honoured by significant persons, as well as by simple Greek soldiers who in different and dire times gave their lives and were sacrificed for Greece to be today a modern, independent, free and democratic country.
Today the situation is difficult. The Chief referred earlier to the difficulties which have been caused by the dire fiscal situation, not only for the Hellenic Armed Forces but for the entire Greek society as well, and it was a very good observation.
The first positive messages of the recovery already started to appear. I am sure that in a short while from now the way of progress will be opened again for our country.
It will bring back to our people their self-confidence and it will give Greece a new orientation. The prerequisite for all this is one of the deeper messages which events like today’s celebration send and which has been bred within the Armed Forces for years. And it is nothing else than the necessary unanimity and unity.
History has proven that whenever we united our forces we could overcome difficulties, we dealt with challenges successfully and we opened ways of optimism for our country.
The same must be done now too.
The political and military leadership of the Armed Forces helps our country possess one of the battle-worthiest and most reliable weapon and defence systems and preserve the highest performance in deterrence force always to serve a supreme and noble cause which is to defend our country’s independence and integrity.
Greece stands still today despite the difficulties. And on this line of instability extending from Ukraine to Tunisia, it remains an oasis of security and stability. Its defence system is in the service of the causes I mentioned, as well as of the international law and order.
It is not accidental at all that the Greek defence system is appreciated and respected in Europe and worldwide. But all this is due to the fact that the worthy personnel of the Armed Forces having premised its mission and inspired by these principles that have been bred with sacrifices and blood over the centuries, can be proud today of fulfilling its mission with effectiveness, consistence and national responsibility.
The honour paid to the Greek infantry today regards the entire Hellenic Armed Forces. It touches the soul of every man and woman of its personnel and brings their memories back, as the report prepared earlier for this event shows it too, to those who sacrificed their lives for this country to be proud, independent and still.
So, today’s event is a reference of honour and of updating all those supreme notions and messages coming through history, which put us all in front of our responsibilities. The first of them is the oath we took, no matter what our position is, to keep this country proud and independent.
Commander, addressing to you, I would like to thank you for the hospitality and I imagine I represent everybody who is present at this event. I would like to ask you to convey my cordial greetings to the entire personnel, military and civilian, of the Infantry School and I assure you that the political and military leadership will be at your side when you perform your duties. So, you will be able to preserve what this School has achieved over the years: To become one of the diamonds of the Hellenic Armed Forces.
Thank you and Happy St. George’s Day to everybody.”