The defense of the homeland requires long -term and thorough planning. We need a deep reform. And the “agenda 2030”, which is the state’s response to this great need, is not a mere recording of priorities. It is a holistic concept of defense, deterrence, technological modernization, economic growth. Defense can be a factor in enriching our society.

This was emphasized by National Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, speaking today, Friday, April 25, at the Celebration of the Protector of the Army of the Long Martyr of St. George, which took place at the Athens Concert Hall.

Mr Dendias, who represented Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the event, spoke extensively on the “agenda 2030”, clarifying that it was “a program of improving career, life conditions, payrolls of our executives”

“Geopolitical tensions, conventional and hybrid threats, technological developments have made it imperative for a complete redesign,” he said.

He reiterated that “Greece does not have the happiness of Luxembourg. It is not in a quiet geopolitical corner of Europe. It is right there, when the constant geopolitical variables, instability, competitions, unpredictable conflicts meet. “

“In order for Greece to survive, we need to change everything. And we do this with the “agenda 2030”. The agenda is implemented. The recently approved KYSEA Plan plan and the long -term planning of defense equipment include the homeland’s basic strategic choices for the next 12, plus 8, 20 years in total, ”he said.

“Any program over 10m euros will only evolve after a special discussion on the Hellenic House Subcommittee, which I will expand by letter from the Speaker of Parliament as soon as the House opens next Monday. And of course, as the county dictates, after a special decision by KYSEA, “Mr Dendias said.

“Because we want to emphasize that equipment issues are neither party privilege nor party feud. They are the site of a common approach and understanding of all parties, not to say all Greeks, ”he added.

“We focus on modernizing our forces, with the integration of systems but mainly of perceptions and culture suitable for the 21st century.

From Achilles’ Shield, the anti-drone systems such as “Centaur”, the upgrading of the fighter with the “Contemporary Fighter” program, which are already ongoing, “he said.

For the official celebration of the memory of St. George, he emphasized that it was a form “dominant in our religious faith and in our folklore tradition.”

“His image, as was said by the leader, adorns the Greek Army’s war flags since 1864. Protector, since 1953, of the Army of the Land and the Infantry. A weapon that connects me with my 28 -month service as a reserve officer, “he added.

“Saint George is not recalled in the collective memory of Hellenism only as a moral model. Or as a model of military virtue. Or as it is chanted in his Holy Sequence: “He was God, George Tricmakar, the Skate of the Heaven and the Guardian of the earth,” Mr. Dendias underlined.

The celebration ceremony was attended by the Chief of the General Staff General Dimitrios Houpis, the Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General George Kostidis, the Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Dimitrios – Eleftherios Curse, the Chief of the General Staff of the Vice -President (I)

The ceremony was also attended by MP Dionysis Hatzidakis, as a spokesman for the Speaker of the House and MPs Nina Kasimatis, Stylianos Fotopoulos and Evangelos Apostolakis.

Also present were Archimandrite Archimandrite P. Varnavas Theocharis, as a spokesman for His Beatitude Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Hieronymos II, His Eminence Metropolitan Varis, Voula, Vouliagmeni Antonios Gregory, the Chief of the Greek Police Lieutenant General Dimitrios Mallios, the Chief of the Coast Guard – Hellenic Coast Guard (LS -ELAKT) Tryphon Kontizas and the Attica Coordinator of the Fire Department Lieutenant General Anastasios Pappas on behalf of the Chief of the Fire Department.

Representatives of the Regional and Local Government, representatives of bodies and universities and donors of the Armed Forces, were also present.

The event was presented by journalist George Sideris and Lieutenant (SG) Konstantina Petropoulou, while actor Leonidas Kakouris read and recited excerpts of well -known literary works inspired by events in military history.

During this time, a musical tribute was performed by interpreters, by ASDYS Military Music (SMS), Major (MS) Apostolos Kalpakidis, Lieutenant (MS) Konstantinos Groumouti, Ms. Thomas Tsotsi, Epop. (TT) Marina Sythirou and from the Contemporary Music Orchestra Gina Fotinopoulou and Michalis Dimitrakos.

The performers were framed, respectively, by ASDYS’s military music under the direction of the Major Magi (MS) Xenophon Mente and the ERT Contemporary Music Orchestra under the direction of George Arabidis and the production direction.