The Meeting of NATO Defence Ministers, which was held in Brussels, was concluded today. The Minister of National Defence Dimitris Avramopoulos after the end of the meeting stated the following:
“At a time of constant changes and developments, the Atlantic Alliance adapts its structures and redefines its priorities.
The systematic utilization of available resources and technology helps us face the modern challenges, mainly in the field of cyber-defence. In this effort, the role of the experiences and capabilities of every member state, as well as of its readiness to contribute and cooperate immediately, is crucial.
Moreover, since there is a need and, at the same time, an opportunity to develop and capitalize synergies, Greece attributes a particular significance to the principle of “Smart Defence” and to the elaboration of common structures and formations.
Our effort to achieve common goals and objectives will be also reinforced by the utilization of all of the alliance’s funds which are available to the member states.
Our country participates in every action of the Alliance. Yet, in the context of the Greek Presidency of the European Union, as of January 1, 2014, during which the Common Foreign and Security Policy will be a top priority, it will play a crucial role in pursuing all those objectives which require reinforcement of EU and NATO relations through initiatives in common fields among the European Defence Agency, the EU and the Atlantic Alliance. Towards this direction, the cooperation between NATO and Russia is of great significance, as this became obvious also in today’s common session of NATO-Russia Council which was attended by the Defence Minister of Russia, Mr. Sergey Shoygu As far as Greece is concerned, due to its geopolitical position and its enhanced stabilizing role in its region, this perspective can only be to its benefit.”
Mr. Avramopoulos attended also the meeting of NATO-Russia Council in which participated the Defence Minister of Russia Sergey Shoygu.
During the Meeting, the Minister of National Defence met the Defence Minister of Albania Mimi Kodheli, the Defence Minister of Georgia Irakli Alasania and the Defence Minister of FYROM Talat Xhaferi.