National sovereignty requires vigilance; it primarily requires strength for its defense, Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendias, said on March 25 national anniversary.
"That is, it requires strong Armed Forces. Geopolitical reality confirms this daily," he added.
"The freedom of nations in the course of humanity is not a free gift. The independence we enjoy today, the state we have built, the Hellenic Republic, is the result of this continuous effort. History, after all, teaches us that nothing is self-evident," he underlined.
"Greece," he explained, "is in an area of complex and multiple challenges. From traditional military conflicts to hybrid threats, the country's security requires a new strategic approach and modern means of power multiplication."
He clarified that Greece "is not complacent" and with "Agenda 2030" "the largest reform of the Armed Forces in the history of the new Greek state" is being implemented.
"We are multiplying our operational capabilities, modernizing our equipment, investing in innovation and new technologies, upgrading our defense infrastructure, strengthening our strategic position in the wider region."
"Greece has always maintained a deterrent character in its strategy. It ensures its sovereign rights by adhering to the rules of International Law and the principles of peaceful coexistence," he stressed.
"Today," he added, "is not only a day of remembrance. It is mainly a day of responsibility. We must stand worthy of our ancestors with unity, with determination, with a strategic perspective."