The new “NATO 2030” was founded in Athens at the Generals Summit (MCC 21)
of Christos Kapoutsis
The NATO General Operations Summit in Athens (September 17-19), of course, took place “under the shadow of the Acropolis”, but also due to the weight of the agreement AUKUS, as it surprised (NOT pleasantly), some of the powerful EU states. (France), which are also members of NATO. The US-UK-AUSTRALIA agreement (AUKUS), is a leading military cooperation of the Western Powers, which has as its central Strategic goal, to limit China’s expansionist policy. Military cooperation (AUKUS) is currently being spearheaded by the United States, a state-of-the-art nuclear-powered submarine target for Australia, closer to the Indo-Pacific Ocean than the other two allies. The agreement, however, is not limited to the acquisition of submarines, but extends to vital areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum technologies and advanced nuclear optical systems. The Minister of National Defense, Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, announced the official opening ceremony of the NATO Military Committee Conference 21 – MCC 21 in the presence of the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Robert Bauer. Those present at the opening ceremony were the Deputy Prime Minister Panagiotis Pikrammenos, the Deputy Minister of National Defense Nikolaos Hardalias and the Head of GEETHA General Konstantinos Floros. During the opening speech of o N. Panagiotopoulos stressed the following: “It is really a great honor to welcome you in Greece, in Athens for the Summit A / GEETHA – A / GEED NATO 2021. It is also a great pleasure to welcome you in this historic building, in the facilities of the School of Naval Trials, given the great tradition of our Navy from antiquity until today in Greece. Welcome to Athens, the cradle of Western civilization and a city that has been widely recognized as the cradle of democracy. » At the 3-day Summit of Initial General Operations, held in Athens, the procedures for the transition to “NATO 2030” were discussed. What does this mean in simple words. Strengthening the military alliance of the Atlantic Alliance and expanding our activities, such as cybersecurity, the use of new generation optical systems with inconceivable invasive and destructive capabilities, the modernization of the nuclear arsenal and an extensive military network. Planet. At the political-diplomatic level, the “new” NATO will be competitive with Russia and China (militarily) and will provide security in important areas of mainly geopolitical and energy interest. At the Summit of the Chiefs of General Staff of the NATO member states, the NATO mission in Afghanistan was evaluated in military terms. Serious weaknesses were identified, such as the deterioration of the behavior of local communities. For the Afghans, NATO was a foreign power seeking to impose its choices in the absence of the majority of the people of the troubled country. Now NATO, is called upon to manage the consequences, such as the occupation of Afghanistan by the Taliban, the possibility of Afghanistan succeeding in defeating new terrorist groups and, of course, the management of serious problems by massive waves of migrants. «What has happened in Afghanistan should help us learn useful lessons for the future and strengthen our common goal of corrupting our common values and our citizens and maintaining NATO’s ability to deal with any possible imagery, from anywhere. Where do they come from? That is why a clear roadmap for the Alliance with the “NATO 2030” Process has been drawn up. », Return to his speech by Minister of Defense N. Panagiotopoulos during the Cooperation of the NATO Military Committee, at the Level of Defense Chiefs, in Athens. The situation was also assessed in terms of military systems and allied capabilities in critical areas, such as the Black Sea, the Balkans, the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, a single geographical area of great strategic value, where security is a prerequisite. for the stability, peace and prosperity of the people. The challenges facing NATO member states in this geographical area cover a wide range of activities in the Czech Republic, including extremism, energy insecurity, smuggling, illegal immigration, trade, human activity, report and undermine stability.
On the sidelines of the Summit, the Chief of General Staff, General Konstantinos Floros, and the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer (CMC), returned the military bases of Souda to Crete. The Chief of General Staff and the CMC, in the communication that had executives of the aeronautical base, referred to the general strategic importance of our country and the specialty of Crete, regarding the military-diplomatic developments in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region and the actions of the Greek Armed Forces. both nationally and in cooperation with our Allies and partners. The two top military leaders also referred to the impending upgrade of Crete’s military installations. In particular, the Chief of GEETHA referred to the Naval Station of Crete, which is the second largest Naval Base in the country, as well as the prospective upgrade of the receptacles in the near future. An important development, due to the prominent geographical position of Souda and its guarantee in the theater of operations of the Eastern Mediterranean, with obvious benefits both nationally and for our Allies and partners. On Saturday 18 September 2021 and on the sidelines of the Conference of the NATO Military Committee, Chief of General Staff General Konstantinos Floros held a bilateral meeting with his counterpart, Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States of America (USA), General Mark A. Milley. The discussion took place in a very warm atmosphere and the two Ancients had the opportunity to exchange views on the Security environment that has developed in the wider region, as well as on the challenges that the two Countries have to face, changes include hybrid depictions, terrorism and extremist violence, energy security, climate and economic crisis as well as migration and refugee flows. ΕIssues of bilateral interest were also discussed with emphasis on the intensity of the cooperation of the Armed Forces (Armed Forces) of the two Countries, at the level of co-education and joint exercises, within the framework of the updated Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement. [Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA)] and the continuous strengthening of the military plans of Greece and the USA. Concluding the meeting, The Chief of GEETHA referred to the high priority he has for the country Our military cooperation with the United States at all costs, as well as the capabilities of the Greek Armed Forces that have established our country as a reliable Ally and Partner and axis of stability and security in the Balkans, the Eastern Mediterranean, North Africa and the East Fair. In a press conference after the completion of the work of MCC 21 the Chief of GEETHA General K. Floros, said among others, the following: “I have the honor and privilege to host in Athens, the Forerunner of the Military Committee, the Initiatives of the General Staff of all the member states of the Alliance, and the two Strategic Commanders for Operations and NATO Transformation (SACEUR and SACT), for Session of the Military Committee 2021. This important Synod, which is rotated every year by a member state, coincides with the celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the Revolution of 1821, an event of which all Greeks are very proud. At the Summit I had the opportunity to see again in my counterparts, among other things, the important role of Greece as a strong pillar of security in the volatile environment of the Eastern Mediterranean. I also highlighted the fact that the Greek Armed Forces have developed mutually beneficial cooperation relations with partners of special special importance in our wider region. These relations are aimed at promoting peace and stability, and I believe that they serve at the same time the values of the Alliance as a whole. »