Today, Nikos Hardalias made his last trip as Deputy Minister of National Defense to units of our Armed Forces, visiting Panagia and Oinousses.

In his farewell statement against the background of Smyrna, where his mother’s family comes from, he said: “Today here from Panagia, on this my last visit as Deputy Minister of Defence, here from our surveillance post across the Turkish coast, across the Smyrna of our history, I am truly moved to say goodbye from where I started, the ends of the Aegean, this beautiful journey of the last 4 years as a public servant, I close a special cycle of duty and responsibility that I served with self-sacrifice. From here I say goodbye to the people, my colleagues in Civil Protection, in the Ministry of Defense who tirelessly marched with me.

In the beautiful but also in the difficult. In every challenge and every opportunity. Through the knowledge and experience of crisis management, we ensured a timely response to the difficult circumstances and the unprecedented challenges we faced with our sole aim to serve people, society, our Motherland. Throughout my political career, cooperation and unity have been non-negotiable values. It was the strong beacon on the road that ensured the achievement of our goals. And my decision to leave my government duties and the central political scene and to run for the position of Regional Governor of Attica was not an easy one. I weighed responsibilities, I weighed priorities but above all I weighed my desire – my life’s stake to serve the citizens with dedication. I have learned to draw strength from the values ​​that characterize my path in the commons until today. To bring results. With dedication, with determination, with persistence, with cooperation, with inclusion, and above all with transparency and accountability.

And that’s what I want to keep doing. Non-negotiable and tireless. I take with me knowledge, experience and the power of cooperation. And in the new beginning I invite you to stand by me. I invite you to share our vision and plan for the Attica Region. With quality of life today and a sustainable perspective for the generations to come, for our children. We can achieve a lot. To do what is necessary, in every neighborhood of Attica, when necessary, no matter how difficult it is. With hard work! Step by step, day by day, deed by deed. But my own effort needs your trust. Your own support. Your own hug. So let’s open up together, all together the “walk” that we really deserve. Which suits our place, our neighborhoods, our dreams. Let’s all go to Attiki Forward together. Because it is our place, because it is our responsibility. All together!”. In the evening, Nikos Hardalias, accompanied by the Chief of the General Directorate of Civil Aviation, General Konstantinos Floros, and the Chief of General Directorate of General Aviation, Lieutenant General Themistocles Bourolias, will visit the Elefsina air base, where he will greet and thank the Canadair pilots for their enormous contribution in fighting the fires. Tomorrow morning his retirement ceremony will take place at the Ministry of National Defense.