In Greece he does not like to be threatened by anyone, that is why we do our commands
Messages of high symbolism were sent by defense Minister from Alexandroupolis referring to strengthening relations with the US but also in strategic importance Eastern Mediterranean. «The strategic relationship between Greece and the USA is based on strong timeless ties between our countries and peoples and common values. The recent signing in Washington of the Protocol Amending this Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement between the two Foreign Ministers enhances relations“Stressed, among others, Nikos Panagiotopoulos. Elsewhere in his statements, he stressed that “The Eastern Mediterranean is a region of great strategic importance, a fact that offers increased prospects and offers for stability, development of prosperity. At the same time, however, it is accompanied by common security challenges and threats that must be addressed with unity and a plan.». The Minister of National Defense went today to Alexandroupolis, where he was accompanied by the Chief of General Staff General Konstantinos Floros, attended the Alexandroupolis Port Authority Exhibition of the Day of Distinguished Visitors in the context of providing Support to ATLANT Nations, RES Present at the event were the MPs of Evros Mr. Christos Dermentzopoulos, Anastasios Dimoschakis, and Stavros Keletsis, the Deputy Regional Governor of Evros Mr. Dimitrios Petrovic, the Mayor of Alexandroupolis Mr. Ioannis Zampoukis, the US Ambassador to Greece Mr. Jeffrey Pyattos La Gegis ALL. The SA Mr. Konstantinos Hadjimichael and the Deputy Commander of the V Corps of the US Army, Lt. Gen. Matthew Wagenen.
During his speech to the attendees, Mr. Panagiotopoulos presented the following:
«Ladies and gentlemen,
With feelings of special satisfaction we are today once again in the Port of Alexandroupolis, on the occasion of the Day of Distinguished Visitors of the Exercise “Atlantic Resolve 21”.
This satisfaction is enhanced as this is the third time, since July 2020, that we participate in similar events for matching exercises, an event that now highlights the strategic character and the ever-increasing strategic character that you will allow me in the Port of Alexandroupolis. . It also underlines the commitment of the Greek and American Governments to further deepen and expand their strategic defense partnership and cooperation.
As a result of this cooperation was the significant improvement of the port’s functionality, so that large ships can no longer be moored, as evidenced by the presence of the transport ship “INDEPEDENCE”, and others before it, which transports the Forces and materials we saw lined up here in the port area. It is one of the largest ships that have sailed to Alexandroupolis and which also marks the new possibilities and infrastructures that support initiatives and activities for economic development, not only of Alexandroupolis, but also of the wider region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. of Northern Greece.
You saw I do not know if you noticed it next to a little outside the perimeter security, landing another large ship, which other times, Mr. President you know, Mr. CEO, could not approach to do this work here in the port. Well, these and more are happening here, they are happening day by day, they are events that we see with our own eyes and prove the huge prospect for economic development of the port of Alexandroupolis thanks to this initiative.
Alexandroupolis, due to the geostrategic position of its Port, can attract large investments that include new infrastructure projects in the challenges, installation of the floating regasification terminal (FSRU), interconnection with the railway network as well as with the Egnatia Road and the Egnatia Road. extension, in the area, of the NATO Fuel Pipeline. These investments are a new dynamic and stimulation of economic activity, new jobs for our country as well. And as I said, this perspective is now obvious and visible to the naked eye.
As I have had the opportunity to do in the past, the transport infrastructure and the network of roads of the wider area make the conditions for the port of Alexandroupolis a strategic hub on each axis to the north, for the rapid transport of people and goods, especially important. for Europe’s energy security, inter alia.
Today’s event, like yesterday’s, the first reception, attended yesterday by the 1,200 total US M1117 armored personnel carriers, which took place in Athens, was added to a wide range of activities in the field of Greek-US defense cooperation, a strategic and mutually beneficial cooperation, which is inspired by the desire of the two countries to contribute, in a substantial way, to the security, stability and prosperity of our wider region.
The strategic relationship between Greece and the USA is based on strong timeless ties between our countries and peoples and common values. The recent signing in Washington of the Protocol Amending this Agreement on Mutual Defense Cooperation, between the two Foreign Ministers of the countries, upgrades our relations to an even higher level with a view to strengthening the interoperability of our Armed Forces and Armed Forces. protect, mutually, the security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of our countries from actions that threaten peace. At this point I would like to explain the contribution of the Military Safe Leadership, the Political leadership of the Ministry and the Ambassador of the United States and his associates, to the new signing, the amendment of the Single Defense Agreement which is primarily an agreement of a defensive nature, hence the contribution of the Armed Forces and the Ministry of National Defense.
I would also like to underline the Ambassador’s contribution to all this great work, both in the upgrading of the Greek-US strategic cooperation in the defense sector, and in what is happening here in Alexandroupolis.
Allow me to say a little greeting in English to our American friends and partners.
Ladies and Gentlemen, special guests,
We came to Alexandroupolis today to watch the largest operation for the sale and transfer of military equipment, as well as personnel, through the ports of Alexandroupolis, at least so far. I hope that bigger companies will be realized in the future, however this is the biggest so far.
It is an important military operation of DM, not only based on the Greek, but also based on the American Data.
Most importantly, however, it clearly demonstrates the essence of the strategic relationship between our countries, especially in the field of defense cooperation. Let me say that this relationship is not a relationship based on convenience or coincidence, but a relationship that arises from certainty. The certainty of common values and ideals, those of democracy, freedom of expression, freedom of economic activity, the state, all that unites. The certainty of common values, due to the many moments of history, we fought side by side, always in the same camp, as we have always tried, and will always try, to defend our common values.
So we are now here, in the port of Alexandroupolis, on this beautiful day, which turned out much better than we expected. Mr. Ambassador, always bring summer wherever you go!
We are experiencing the success of this strengthened, and always improving, strategic relationship. This is something that is observed on a daily basis and proves how far we have come, but it works as an incentive for all of us to work harder in this direction. As I said yesterday, the best comes to those who wait.
Congratulations to everybody. Let’s continue to work in this direction.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Eastern Mediterranean is a region of great strategic importance, which increases the prospects and offers for stability, development of prosperity. At the same time, however, it is accompanied by common security challenges and threats that must be addressed with unity and planning.
Greece is a reliable, strong and consistent Ally and Pillar of stability in the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East and North Africa.
Regional cooperation and initiatives developed with other countries are based on international law and the principles of good neighborliness, above all. At the same time, however, Greece has always had the readiness and capabilities to defend its sovereignty and sovereign rights, and will act decisively and effectively, if and when required. And I have said it before, let me say it again. Alexandroupolis, what is happening now in Alexandroupolis, certainly does not have an aggressive orientation towards anyone. What is heard are jokes. But at the same time let me repeat this. That Greece, on this basis that I told you, does not threaten anyone, but at the same time, it does not like Greece and is not threatened by anyone. For this reason, we do our commands. I can not say it more simply. We are intensifying our diplomatic effort, effort in every direction, we are intensifying in the field of defense and military cooperation the synergies with friends and allied countries, we are strengthening our alliances, but at the same time we are doing what we must strengthen the deterrent force of our Armed Forces. .
Therefore, today here in Alexandroupolis, it is revealed in practice that Greece and the USA, the USA and Greece, are committed and have the position to deal effectively, by all means, challenges and threats and to safeguard security and stability in the wider region, as providers of security and stability. The strengthening of our strategic defense relationship, ultimately shields our two countries against any threat and essentially supports peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and in our wider region.
Thank you for your attention».
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