"To serve our country and our national interests vigorously, we must create, strengthen and maintain channels of communication, as well as relations of mutual respect and friendship, for the benefit of progress and prosperity," said Defence Minister Alkiviades Stefanis, who participated in the NATO Defence Ministers' Meeting and the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) held in Brussels from 15-16 June 2023.
In addition, bilateral meetings were held with the Defence Ministers of Turkey, Mr. Yaşar Güler, the United Kingdom, Mr. Ben Wallace, Estonia, Mr. Hanno Pevkur and Italy, Mr. Guido Crosetto, during which issues of mutual interest were discussed.
On the war in Ukraine, both at the Summit and in the Contact Group, the Greek Minister stressed that the need to strengthen the Ukrainian armed forces continues to be urgent, and underlined that our country will continue to provide all possible military assistance for as long as required. At the same time, it maintains its readiness to actively participate in the enormous work of the International Community for the reconstruction of Ukraine.
During his remarks at the Summit, the Minister of Defence welcomed Finland to the North Atlantic Alliance and expressed his confidence that Sweden would also be present as a member of the Alliance at the forthcoming Summit in Vilnius.
Regarding NATO's defence reinforcement and deterrence, Stefanis highlighted the importance of a 360-degree approach, underlining our country's multi-dimensional contribution to the Alliance and the key importance of the Port of Alexandroupolis for the security of NATO's Southeastern Wing.
The Minister underlined that the Alliance's unwavering commitment to collective defence, as provided for in Article 5 of the NATO Treaty, and the political will to protect its members, based on the founding principles and values and respect for international law, are of vital importance.
He also stated that the NATO Centre for the Protection of Critical Undersea Infrastructure would contribute to countering threats that violate international law, the Law of the Sea and the UN Charter.
In addition, Stefanis stressed that Greece supports NATO's Action Plan to increase defence industrial production capacity. He noted, however, that initiatives and activities in support of the defence industry must be inclusive and based on objective criteria, in order to ensure the required participation of all defence industries from Alliance states that can contribute to the collective effort.
In addition, Stefanis stressed that Greece supports the NATO Action Plan for the increase of the defence industrial production capacity. He noted, however, that initiatives and activities in support of the defence industry must be inclusive and based on objective criteria, in order to ensure the required participation of all defence industries from Alliance states that can contribute to the collective effort.
In the context of the discussion on the Allies' new commitment for investments in the defence sector, the Minister reiterated that Greece is fulfilling its Allied obligations by maintaining its defence spending above the 2% of GDP threshold and investments for the acquisition of weapons systems, Research and Development above 20%.
He also participated in the signing ceremony of the amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Multinational Ammunition Warehousing Initiative (MAWI), due to the accession of four new Allies (Bulgaria, Germany, Denmark, Luxembourg).
The Minister held brief meetings with the Ministers of Defence of the United States, Mr Lloyd Austin, of Germany, Mr Boris Pistorius, of Ukraine, Mr Oleksii Reznikov and SACEUR General Christopher Cavoli.
