With the presence of the frigate “Fish” in the Red Sea, “the role of our homeland as a factor of security and stability” is underlined.

This emphasized, among other things, the Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias, who went today, Wednesday, June 19, to the Salamis naval station in order to visit the frigate, shortly before it set sail for the Red Sea where it will join the forces of the “Shields” operation.

The ongoing situation in the Red Sea necessitates the continuation of Operation Shields, the “biggest European military operation ever”, Mr Dendias said.

He pointed out that our country “has the leadership” of the operation and added: “We display our flag, we display the European flag, we display the European arm, which is absolutely necessary for our national interest.”

He pointed out that the frigate “Fish” undertakes the work of the frigate “Hydra” providing escort to “the world’s largest merchant fleet”.

Talking about the crew of the frigate “Hydra” explained that they “completed the mission with complete success” and “returned safely”.

Addressing the crew of the “Psara” frigate, he said: “Go to a danger area. I wish you to return home safely, having done your duty.”

“Our wishes, our thoughts will accompany you throughout your mission. I will come to find you, as I did with the “Hydra”, in the Red Sea, probably accompanied by the High Representative of the European Union, Joseph Borel” added Mr. Dendias.

“I have the absolute confidence that you will demonstrate the professionalism, the zeal, the commitment to duty, the national pride that characterizes the officers of the Armed Forces of our country” he continued.

“I wish you good luck. I wish you from the bottom of my heart, too, to be safe, to return to your families. May Saint Nicholas be at the bow of the “Fishermen”” he concluded.

During the visit, Mr. Dendias, accompanied by the head of the GETHA general Dimitrios Houpis, the head of the General Directorate of Defense Vice-Admiral Dimitrios – Eleftherios Katara PN and the head of the Fleet Vice-Admiral Polychronis Koulouri PN, was informed by the commander of the frigate about its mission.

Concluding his visit to the “Psara” frigate, Mr. Dendias presented the captain with the icon of the patron saint of the Navy, Agios Nikolaos, and wished the crew “good success” in their mission.