Defence Minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos and Deputy Defence Minister Nikolaos Chardalias attend the celebration organised by the HNDGS for the Armed Forces’ Day at “Stavros[...]

Home >Deputy Minister Photo Gallery> Defence Minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos and Deputy Defence Minister Nikolaos Chardalias attend the celebration organised by the HNDGS for the Armed Forces' Day at "Stavros Niarchos Foundation"

Defence Minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos and Deputy Defence Minister Nikolaos Chardalias attend the celebration organised by the HNDGS for the Armed Forces' Day at "Stavros Niarchos Foundation"

November 23, 2022

On Monday, 21 November 2022, the Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulosand the Deputy Minister Mr. Nikolaos Chardalias attended a grand celebration of the Armed Forces' Day - this year marks their 200th anniversary - which was organised, for the first time, by the National Defence General Staff at Stavros Niarchos Foundation (Stavros Niarchos Room-National Music Hall) and was honoured by the presence of H.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic Ms. Katerina Sakellaropoulou and the Prime Minister Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

In the celebration, the Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos and the Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff General Konstantinos Floros delivered an address.

One of the most touching and special moments of the evening was the award by the Chief of HNDGS of the only inhabitant of Kinaros island, Ms. Irini Katsotourchi, known in Greece as "Kyra Rinio", a guardian of our remote island.

The event touched the heart of the Armed Forces' officers and, at the same time,
it conveyed a message of power and force, of professionalism and flawless cooperation between the community and our tireless guardians.

The allied countries and organisations delivered their wishes, conveying, in parallel, clear messages of excellent cooperation through the organisation of joint training and the conclusion of important agreements, thus reinforcing the security and stability for our country.

The event was also attended by:

-The Ministers for Migration and Asylum Mr. Notis Mitarakis,the Minister for Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy Mr. Giannis Plakiotakis,the Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Mr. Christos Stylianides.

-The Deputy Minister of Health responsible for mental health Ms. Zoe Rapti, the Deputy Minister for Citizen Protection responsible for anti-crime policy Mr. Lefteris Economou, the Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister responsible for communication and information and Government representative Mr. Giannis Economou.

-The former Alternate Minister of National Defence Mr. Panagiotis Rigas, representing the Head of the main opposition party.

-The Right Reverend Archimadrite Varnavas Theoharis, representing His Beatitude the Archbishop of Athens and All GreeceHieronymos.

-The President of the Supreme Court Ms. Maria Georgiou and the Attorney General of the Supreme Court Mr. Isidoros Dogiakos.

-The Ambassadors of Cyprus, Egypt, Albania, North Macedonia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States of America, Jordan, Israel, Italy, Ukraine and representatives of the Embassy of the United Kingdom, Canada and Romania in Greece.

-The Secretary General of the Ministry of National Defence Mr. Antonios Oikonomou.

-The Chief of Hellenic Army General Staff Lieutenant General Charalambos Lalousis, Chief of Hellenic Navy General Staff Vice Admiral Stylianos Petrakis HN, the Chief of Hellenic Air Force General Staff Lieutenant General Themistoklis Bourolias, the Chief of the Police Force Lieutenant General Konstantinos Skoumas and the Chief of Hellenic Coast Guard Vice Georgios Alexandrakis.