Deputy Minister of National Defence Ioannis Kefalogiannis Attends Hellenic National Defence College Graduation Ceremony as Representative of the Prime Minister

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Deputy Minister of National Defence Ioannis Kefalogiannis Attends Hellenic National Defence College Graduation Ceremony as Representative of the Prime Minister

April 22, 2024

On Friday, 19 April 2024, the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr. Ioannis Kefalogiannis, attended, as representative of the Prime Minister, the graduation ceremony and awarded the diplomas to the graduates of the 76^thTraining Class (physical attendance course) of the Hellenic National Defence College.

The ceremony, which was held at the Armed Forces Officers' Club, was also attended by the Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Dimitrios Choupis, the Chief of Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Dimitrios - Eleftherios KatarasHN, the the Chief of Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Lieutenant General (HAF) Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, Lieutenant General Spyridon Alfantakisas representative of the the Chief of Hellenic Army General Staff, the Commandant of the Hellenic National Defence College, Athanasios Sardellis, as well as representatives of the Hellenic Parliament, political parties, His Beatitude, the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, the Security Forces, and embassies.

Graduates included 55 officials, of which 26 from the Army, 8 from the Navy, 9 from the Air Force, 1 from the Hellenic Police, 1 from the Fire Service, 1 from the Coast Guard, 3 officers from the Republic of Cyprus, 2 Civilian Employees from the Ministries of National Defence and Culture, as well as 4 from allied countries, i.e. 2 from the Arab Republic of Egypt, 1 from the Republic of North Macedonia, and 1 from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In his address, Mr. Kefalogiannis stressed that the role of the Hellenic National Defence College is now more critical than ever, since the rapidly changing international environment necessitates flexible and effective Armed Forces, capable of dealing with any threat, as well as with a strong deterrent presence. He stressed that a requirement for this is to have highly trained personnel in critical and leadership roles.

In his address, the Deputy Minister of National Defence stated the following:

"It is a great honour to address the graduates of the 76^thTraining Class of the Hellenic National Defence College. A Training Institution that constitutes the highest level of defence political and strategic thinking in our country's Armed Forces. The College's training work and its deep footprint in the development of Armed and Security Forces officers is widely known and, undoubtedly, equivalent to that of the most prestigious foreign defence studies colleges. The quality of the knowledge it provides has enabled generations of Greek officers to interpret the constantly changing security environment and integrate the conclusions into the defence planning and sharpened their ability to make decisions and exercise defence diplomacy.

In this view, the role of the Hellenic National Defence College is now more critical than ever. The security challenges, particularly in the sensitive area of the Eastern Mediterranean, have multiplied, compared to the past, a development that requires the ability to manage complex situations. We are living in a rapidly changing international environment, where fluidity is predominant, stability is challenged, security undermined, and peace threatened. This environment necessitates flexible and effective Armed Forces, capable of dealing with any threat, as well as with a strong deterrent presence. A requirement for this is to have highly trained personnel in critical and leadership roles.

For that, Commandant, I urge you to never cease your efforts for continuous upgrade of the quality of the training provided by the College. In this effort, I'd like you to know that you will have the full support of the Government, the political leadership of the Ministry of National Defence, and me personally. It is a priority of our Ministry to further upgrade the training work, organisation, and functioning if military academies and schools, as well as increase their outreach by multiplying synegies with similar foreign educational institutions and universities. In this effort, I will be constantly in contact with the College in order to tap on the valuable experience of the Command and faculty.

New National Defence Staff Officers, having successfully completed your rigorous academic training, you are now ready to fully live up to the expectations created by your graduation from the College. As you progress to the top, requirements increase and you must always be ready to deal with the constantly emerging new challenges. I urge you to seize any opportunity in the future to use the knowledge you acquired as students of the Hellenic National Defence College and utilise them in the best possible manner for the benefit of our country! I am certain that the leadership of the Armed Forces will utilise your skills in the best possible manner. I wholeheartedly congratulate you for your mental effort, with your graduation today being its capping stone. I wish you personal and family happiness and good health, all success in your new duties, and good luck in your career".