In the 6th Delphi Forum in Washington, the Minister of National Defense of Greece, Nikos Dendiashe held the central speech on “Greece’s role in shaping defense policy in a changing geopolitical landscape”. The Greek minister began his speech, noting that “after the end of the Cold War, people went from a bipolar in a multipolar order of things”, however, “the optimistic perspective did not implement”. Acknowledged that there was’ wrong assessment that the Russia It could be incorporated into European security architecture “, so” we now realize that the world we thought existed has disappeared “.

Analyzing the new reality, Mr Dendias highlighted the growing challenges that “cannot be addressed by individual states”, noting the need for “common action in the Western world”. He raised the question “what do we mean by ‘us’? What are the allies of the USA In trying to stabilize the world? “, presenting two comparative examples.

Without naming Turkey, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the neighboring country as a state that does not feel that it must adhere to international law and international sea law. Continuing, he recalled that he is a NATO member country that does not impose sanctions on Russia, maintaining close relations with it. As he pointed out, this is not an occasional policy, but a continuity political direction.

“On the other hand,” he talked about a country that “supports international laws, is a modern democracy, a member of the EU, defends democratic values, fought in the two world wars on the right side, supports Ukraine, but also the Balkan countries in the countries. Their integration into the EU. ” “It is a country with a rich democratic heritage that inspired US founders,” he said.

Mr Dendias presented a series of Greece’s initiatives in the field of defense and regional stability, stressing that “Greece has a clear attitude: respect for international rules and the inviolable territorial integrity”. At the same time, he referred to the country’s multilateral partnerships with states in the region and beyond, emphasizing defense agreements with the US, France, Saudi Arabia, Italy and Egypt, as well as the deepening of relations with India.

He underlined Greece’s participation in NATO and its contribution to the security of its neighboring states, stating – among other things – that “Greece is present in the Western Balkans, while the Navy conveyed humanitarian aid to Gaza”. He also mentioned the two naval missions in Libya and the Red Sea.

He recalled the election of Greece as a non -permanent member of the UN Security Council, while expressing the need to “strengthen the European Defense Framework”, criticizing the EU stance, which he described as “schizophrenic” as he “calls on states to increase. Defense spending, but at the same time limits the possibility of implementing them. “

The Greek defense minister presented the country’s new defense ecosystem, describing the reforms that “modernize the armed forces” and include:

  • Upgrading the Greek fleet,
  • Developing anti-Drone and anti-missile defense systems,
  • Reorganization of military training, both for permanent military and for the conscripts.

He made a special reference to the alliance of Greece with the US, noting that cooperation between the two countries was “excellent both during the first Trump presidency and during Biden’s term”.

He developed an alternative approach to the Greek strategy, emphasizing the importance of the country’s mild power. He explained that Greece can “provide a deeper understanding of countries and societies of the region”, citing as an example:

  • The Balkan Orthodox communities and the role of Russia in the region,
  • The geopolitics of Egypt,
  • The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Greece’s multilevel collaborations in an unstable area

Nikos Dendias briefly described the role played by Greece’s defense policy in a wider geographical area tested by instability, problems and conflicts.

“In all these challenges, Greece responds with a very clear position, respecting international law and international treaties and at the same time protecting its own sovereignty, sovereign rights and territorial integrity. To deal with this complex and unstable environment, we have created multilevel partnerships with countries in our region. “

Describing Greece’s active participation in the wider regional developments, Nikos Dendias stood in cooperation with countries such as Israel, Egypt, Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Armenia, Armenia, Armenia, India Bahrain, as well as with all EU and Balkan states. He also referred to relations developed with African countries, such as Senegal, Angola, Gabon, and Rwanda.

“All of these collaborations have exactly the same characteristics. They are actively pursuing and promoting stability, security, cooperation and development. We have signed more than 350 deals over the last five years. I will say, for example, the mutual defense cooperation agreement with the United States, defense agreements with France and the UAE, the strategic agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Agreement on the Exclusive Economic Zone with Italy and Egypt, ” Mr. Dendias.

Continuing, the Minister of Defense also referred to the deepening of defense relations with India, recalling that only recently the Indian Air Force was involved in joint exercises with the Hellenic Air Force. He also recalled that Greece became a member of the three seas initiative and that our country has an active contribution to NATO and all the defense initiatives of the European Union.

As he explained, “we contribute to the security of our neighborhood and surveillance the airspace of Northern Macedonia, Bulgaria and Montenegro. We support Kosovo and have a presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Navy delivers humanitarian aid to Gaza. Our Air Force delivers help to Lebanon. We provide energy corridors to Central and Eastern Europe. “

Describing the active and extroverted policy of Greece, Nikos Dendias referred to the two Naval Enterprises that the EU is in the north of Libya and the Red Sea, which, he recalled, have Greek names because they were an initiative proposed by Athens.

Particularly interesting to the US audience and officials of the new US government who are called upon to implement the doctrine of “first America” ​​was presented by Nikos Dendia’s reminder that Greece plays an important role in promoting American liquefied gas in Europe through its energy. .

Also interesting to the US audience was reported that Greece is one of the few NATO countries that invest more than 3.5% of its GDP in defense, of which 45% are spent on acquiring equipment.

Also, Nikos Dendias referred in detail to the program for the modernization of the Greek Armed Forces, particularly emphasizing the importance of defense cooperation with the US.

“Our defense systems, which you already know, are closely linked to the United States systems. We are part of the F-35 program. We are part of the program for the production of the new US Frigates Constellation that we are going to build with the United States. And we also get more than 40 Black Hawk helicopters. So we share a lot with the defense forces of the United States. “

In conclusion, he stressed that “Greeks, with the right policies, shape strong defensive potential and utilize their mild power to act as a bridge of stability and perception of things.”

Concluding his speech, he noted that “the US, having this image, is now able to choose which allies will go for the stability of the world.”