The geostrategic importance of Greece in the Eastern Mediterranean for NATO, stressed the Minister of National Defense, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, at the ceremony of the conference of the Military Committee of the Alliance, held from 17 to 19 September in Athens.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony of the conference of the NATO Military Committee, this afternoon, at the School of Naval Trials, N. Panagiotopoulos welcomed the great guests to the “birthplace of the Republic, Athens”, as he characteristically said, while emphasizing the “important close ties between NATO member states and Greece “.

Return that “NATO has always proclaimed democracy, peace and stability in the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond the borders of its member states”, while referring to the extension of 200 years since the Greek Revolution, he said: “We owe it to our ancestors that they fought resolutely, to live today in a modern state like Greece.”

He went on to say that NATO now faces “significant challenges that reflect stability such as energy security and illegal immigration”, adding that “In this environment, Greece is ready to assist due to its geostrategic position, to promote democracy, dialogue, peace.”

The Deputy Prime Minister Panagiotis Pikrammenos, was banned as the two important political events for Greece after World War II “entry into the European Union and NATO” while he clarified that “Greece contributes to the Alliance’s readiness for action in the face of depictions and challenges in the wider region.”

“Our responsibility”, said P. Pikrammenos, “is the defense of our allies and the maintenance of peace […] That is why it is important for NATO to set a long-term agenda. “

“Greece is a pillar of security, co-operation and interest in an international environment,” he said, adding that the democratic principles of ancient Greece were “a source of inspiration for the whole world”.

“The same values ​​are at the heart of NATO. An alliance of democracies, with unique characteristics that serve freedom, human rights, democracy “, said P. Pikrammenos.

NATO’s adaptability to a rapidly changing international environment described as “the greatest power of the Alliance” the head of GEETHA, General Konstantinos Floros, welcoming from his side, in Athens the participants in the conference. He stood at the time of the conference, characterized as a huge flag of international challenges that NATO is called to face in the near future, he did not fail to explain to him that Greece is a proud member of the Alliance.

“Despite the challenges from the pandemic in our country”, said the head of GEETHA, “the vaccination plan worked and can organize the conference of the Military Committee”. Return also, that during the conference will follow strict health protocols.

From his side, the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer, said the commission was providing “important military information” playing a key role in “NATO ‘s readiness to respond to international challenges”. In fact, he used a saying of Heraclitus to make him say that ““The world is constantly changing and we must always be ready to adapt.”

“NATO ‘s power,” he added, “comes from its diversity,” with the alliance’ s political and military co – operation covering a total of 30 countries. Regarding the role of our country in NATO, he stressed that “The Greek Armed Forces are a hard link in the alliance.”

The Deputy Minister of National Defense was also present, Nikos Hardalias.

The ceremony took place in the courtyard of the School of Naval Trials, where flag bearers held the meanings of NATO member states. The ceremony ended with the rebuttal of the NATO anthem and the Greek National Anthem.

Conference work begins tomorrow morning at the Athenaum Intercontinental Hotel.