The Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendiasaccompanied by the GETHA chief General Dimitrios Houpis and the GEN chief Vice-Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Katara PN attended today, at the ceremony of handing over the naval command of the European operation “Shields” (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES), from the Italian Vice-Admiral Massimo Bonu to the Greek captain-in-chief Konstantinos Pitykaki PN.

As announced, the ceremony, which took place on the destroyer of the Italian Navy ITS “ANDREA DORIA”, was attended by the Djibouti government’s Minister of Defense Hassan Omar Mohamed Bourhan.

The ceremony was also attended by the Commander of the European operation “Shields”, Rear Admiral Vasilios Gryparis PN, the Chief of the Djibouti Navy Captain Ahmed Daher Djama, the Chief of the Italian Defense Staff General Luciano Portolano, the Ambassador of the European Union to Djibouti Sylvie Tabesse , the ambassador of the Italian Republic in Ethiopia with parallel accreditation to Djibouti Agostino Palese, as well as the honorary consul of Greece in Djibouti Ekaterini Stouraiti.

The Minister of National Defense congratulated the new Commander and wished him success in his duties.

Among other things, Mr. Dendias emphasized that “Djibouti is the key partner for the European Union in this part of the world” while he continued saying that “the “Shields” operation is a defense operation” but also “the largest scale operation that the European Union has ever carried out”.

“Its implementation is fully compliant with International Law and the International Law of the Sea,” he added.

He did not fail to wish Captain-in-Chief Konstantinos Pitykakis PN “every success in his work”.

Afterwards, the Minister of National Defense visited the “Spetsai” frigate in the port of Djibouti, as part of its participation in the European operation “Shields”.

During the visit, she was briefed by the commander of the frigate about her mission.

“Today is a very important day for us in Greece, because today our Hellenic Navy takes over the on-board command of the “Shields” operation with the captain-in-chief, Mr. Konstantinos Pitykakis” emphasized Mr. Dendias, addressing the frigate’s crew .

“It is,” he continued, “a moment that confirms the role our country wants to play. The role it wants to play in ensuring the safety of navigation and in ensuring the observance of the principles of International Law and in particular the International Law of the Sea”.

“The other reason I’m here, though, is to express my gratitude to you. Not only my personal gratitude, but also the gratitude of Greek society for what you do and for what you offer,” clarified Mr. Dendias.

“I know very well that we sent you, that you are in a danger zone. So I would like to express to you, but also to your families, who are thinking of you and wishing for your return, my warm thanks for the important work you are doing” he pointed out.