A message of strength was sent by General Konstantinos Floros, Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (GEETHA), during the awarding of the Greek military by the Academy of Athens.
“The Armed Forces of Greece are carrying out their mission with complete success, causing deterrent awe in those who are hostile to us and trust in our friends, partners and allies,” said the GEETHA leader.
As he said, according to Proto Thema, “we respect and trust international institutions and international law and are working hard to establish peace and security in our region.
“But be sure and calm at the same time, that if necessary, the Armed Forces will act at the right time and to the extent that their duty is required, against those who will turn against our national independence and our territorial integrity.”
Referring to the award from the Academy of Athens, Konstantinos Floros specifically said:
The awarding of the Gold Medal of the Academy of Athens is the highest honour for the Armed Forces and a supreme gesture of recognition of the work done by the men and women of the three Branches of the Armed Forces with constant vigilance and readiness, as well as their operational interventions, thanks to which the integrity of national territory is ensured in land, sea and air.
Today, those who in their lives “chose to be guardians of the independence and integrity of Greece, because they believe in it and in the absolute value of its existence” are awarded, as the late President of the Republic and former President of the Academy of Athens Konstantinos Tsatsos said.
The men and women of the Army are honoured, from the Commanders of their Units to the youngest soldier, who with a weapon in their hand and their gaze alert watch over mainland Greece and our islands, from Kastanies of Evros to Gavdos and from Othonou to Kastelorizo.
The men and women of the Navy are awarded, those who, from the 300 years of the Revolution until today, did not stop running “on the waves of the terrible sea” according to the verb of Kalvos, in order to sail “with an unstoppable momentum” with the aim of victory and only the victory of the honoured Greek Arms!
Awarded to the men and women of the Air Force, those who are on the war foot day and night to intercept any foreign aircraft attempting to violate national airspace, showcasing the air power of our country every day.
Finally, the elite personnel of the Special Operations Forces and Special Forces are also awarded, the worthy continuers of a tradition of daring and heroism.
Honourable ladies and gentlemen,
The Armed Forces of Greece are carrying out their mission with complete success, causing awe in those who are hostile to us and confidence in our friends, partners and allies.
We respect and trust international institutions and international law and strive hard to establish peace and security in our region.
But be sure and calm at the same time, that if necessary, the Armed Forces will act at the right time and to the extent that their duty is required, against those who will turn against our national independence and territorial integrity.
With these words, I wholeheartedly wish the Academy of Athens to continue the brilliant work it is doing in the field of Sciences, Literature and Fine Arts, through which Greece’s culture and great intellectual power is projected and highlighted at the national and international level.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of all the personnel of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force for the great Honour that was given today to the Armed Forces of our Country with the awarding of the Gold Medal of the Academy of Athens.
The highest Honour you do us today.
And the gratitude of the Armed Forces for this Honour!
Thank you”.