ΜΕ ΤΗ ΣΥΜΜΕΤΟΧΗ
ΤΟΥ ΑΡΧΗΓΟΥ ΓΕΝ
ΤΟ 2ο ΔΙΕΘΝΕΣ ΣΥΝΕΔΡΙΟ ΘΑΛΑΣΣΙΑΣ ΑΣΦΑΛΕΙΑΣ
Η ομιλία του Αρχηγού ΓΕΝ, εκφωνηθείσα στην Αγγλική-γλώσσα των εργασιών του Συνεδρίου, από το 1:01 και μετά του παρατιθέμενου οπτικού αρχείου
To εκφωνηθέν κείμενο από τον Αρχηγό ΓΕΝ στα Αγγλικά, παρατίθεται και γραπτώς αμέσως παρακάτω:
It is with great pleasure, profound honor and unique privilege that I am here with you today on the occasion of the 2nd International Maritime Security Conference. Having attended the first iteration of the Conference last year, I am happy that this event has gained momentum and visibility. In this respect, I would like to thank the “Council for International Relations-Greece” and the “Foreign Affairs Institute”, for offering me the opportunity to share my thoughts on the Conference Theme, a subject more current and relevant than ever before.
As we very well know, the interconnection between economies worldwide, constitutes a significant factor in spurring economic growth. This interconnection is ever growing and is highly dependent on the security and stability of our oceans, as over 80% of the world’s trade is transported by sea.
Moreover, our economies rely heavily on the real-time exchange of data and information through a vast network of underwater cables that minimize the “tyranny” of distance, bringing close together all continents. Also, I must highlight the importance of offshore platforms and underwater pipelines that transfer a significant proportion of the energy resources required to fuel our economies.
As such, there is a constant necessity to sustain these “strategic lines of communications”, uphold the freedom of navigation, support the unimpeded maritime trade and secure our critical infrastructure, such as ports, maritime chock points, underwater cables, offshore platforms and underwater pipelines. In a nutshell, the prosperity and well-being of our people, relies greatly on the security of the seas; also known as “Maritime Security”, a term adopted among Navies worldwide.
The Eastern Mediterranean, our own neighborhood, is currently challenged by a wide spectrum of challenges and risks, namely: Piracy and organized crime, acts of terrorism, geopolitical tensions, cyber threats, irregular immigration, human trafficking, as well as the inherent vulnerabilities in coastal, sea, and undersea critical infrastructure.
In order to effectively address these challenges and mitigate the associated risks, a coordinated, cross-organizational, international effort is required among military and civilian maritime stakeholders. Maritime security is by no means a trivial task.
The Hellenic Navy, apart from its conventional role to safeguard our territorial integrity and protect our national interests, has a critical role in promoting Maritime Security in our wider neighborhood and beyond, in concert with Allies and friends. In this regard, the Hellenic Navy actively participates in all relevant maritime security initiatives, such as UNIFIL Operation in Lebanon, NATO Operation Sea Guardian in the East Med and EU Operation IRINI in Libya. In addition, we maintain the command of EU Operation ASPIDES in the Red Sea -one of the world's most vital maritime regions- contributing to the freedom of navigation, safeguarding the maritime trade and protecting the lives of fellow seafarers.
The Hellenic Navy constitutes the main component of our country’s "Naval Power". However, it is only the military dimension of the term. Merchant shipping, our shipbuilding capabilities, and the traditional bonds of the Greek people with the sea are amongst the rest of its components. The projection of a credible Naval Power will allow us to support state diplomacy and enhance our country’s footprint in the areas of national geopolitical interest. At the same time, it will highlight the role of Greece as a pillar of stability, a security provider and not a consumer in the East Mediterranean and beyond.
In this context, the Hellenic Navy follows the principles of Transformation and aims to be innovative in implementing institutional changes, balancing investments and optimizing resources between readiness, capability, and capacity, aligned with the objectives identified in our recently issued “Navigation Plan 2025”. In this regard, we seek to adopt innovative options and cutting-edge technologies, as well as invest in targeted armaments & procurement programs that will increase our operational capabilities in the full spectrum of Naval Warfare, consistent with “Agenda 2030” of the Ministry of National Defence.
In our endeavor, I should acknowledge the invaluable contribution of our outmost force multiplier, the women and men of the Hellenic Navy. Our ships and commands would be just “soulless hulls” without our Greek sailors on board. I cannot overstate enough the pride I feel for having the opportunity to lead them.
The recognition of the multidimensional work and contribution of the Hellenic Navy, is practically expressed though valuable donations in Hellenic Fleet assets, the Naval Academies, Naval Hospitals and modern naval infrastructure. We consider it our obligation to utilize promptly and efficiently this selfless offer. In this regard, I am pleased to announce that this June, after many years, the Hellenic Navy will conduct the Hellenic Naval Week, a nationwide event to promote and celebrate the Greek Maritime Community.
In this time of rapid changes and unpredictable challenges, which underline the requirement for agility, adaptation and transformation, the Hellenic Navy is here, and it is relevant, capable, credible, proactive and qualified.
The Hellenic Navy, as the key instrument of our Naval Power, is determined to remain on the “frontline”, by continuously presenting its decisiveness to contribute to the collective effort for Maritime Security and the protection of our National integrity and interests at sea.
As such, there is a constant necessity to sustain these “strategic lines of communications”, uphold the freedom of navigation, support the unimpeded maritime trade and secure our critical infrastructure, such as ports, maritime chock points, underwater cables, offshore platforms and underwater pipelines. In a nutshell, the prosperity and well-being of our people, relies greatly on the security of the seas; also known as “Maritime Security”, a term adopted among Navies worldwide.
The Eastern Mediterranean, our own neighborhood, is currently challenged by a wide spectrum of challenges and risks, namely: Piracy and organized crime, acts of terrorism, geopolitical tensions, cyber threats, irregular immigration, human trafficking, as well as the inherent vulnerabilities in coastal, sea, and undersea critical infrastructure.
In order to effectively address these challenges and mitigate the associated risks, a coordinated, cross-organizational, international effort is required among military and civilian maritime stakeholders. Maritime security is by no means a trivial task.
The Hellenic Navy, apart from its conventional role to safeguard our territorial integrity and protect our national interests, has a critical role in promoting Maritime Security in our wider neighborhood and beyond, in concert with Allies and friends. In this regard, the Hellenic Navy actively participates in all relevant maritime security initiatives, such as UNIFIL Operation in Lebanon, NATO Operation Sea Guardian in the East Med and EU Operation IRINI in Libya. In addition, we maintain the command of EU Operation ASPIDES in the Red Sea -one of the world's most vital maritime regions- contributing to the freedom of navigation, safeguarding the maritime trade and protecting the lives of fellow seafarers.
The Hellenic Navy constitutes the main component of our country’s "Naval Power". However, it is only the military dimension of the term. Merchant shipping, our shipbuilding capabilities, and the traditional bonds of the Greek people with the sea are amongst the rest of its components. The projection of a credible Naval Power will allow us to support state diplomacy and enhance our country’s footprint in the areas of national geopolitical interest. At the same time, it will highlight the role of Greece as a pillar of stability, a security provider and not a consumer in the East Mediterranean and beyond.
In this context, the Hellenic Navy follows the principles of Transformation and aims to be innovative in implementing institutional changes, balancing investments and optimizing resources between readiness, capability, and capacity, aligned with the objectives identified in our recently issued “Navigation Plan 2025”. In this regard, we seek to adopt innovative options and cutting-edge technologies, as well as invest in targeted armaments & procurement programs that will increase our operational capabilities in the full spectrum of Naval Warfare, consistent with “Agenda 2030” of the Ministry of National Defence.
In our endeavor, I should acknowledge the invaluable contribution of our outmost force multiplier, the women and men of the Hellenic Navy. Our ships and commands would be just “soulless hulls” without our Greek sailors on board. I cannot overstate enough the pride I feel for having the opportunity to lead them.
The recognition of the multidimensional work and contribution of the Hellenic Navy, is practically expressed though valuable donations in Hellenic Fleet assets, the Naval Academies, Naval Hospitals and modern naval infrastructure. We consider it our obligation to utilize promptly and efficiently this selfless offer. In this regard, I am pleased to announce that this June, after many years, the Hellenic Navy will conduct the Hellenic Naval Week, a nationwide event to promote and celebrate the Greek Maritime Community.
In this time of rapid changes and unpredictable challenges, which underline the requirement for agility, adaptation and transformation, the Hellenic Navy is here, and it is relevant, capable, credible, proactive and qualified.
The Hellenic Navy, as the key instrument of our Naval Power, is determined to remain on the “frontline”, by continuously presenting its decisiveness to contribute to the collective effort for Maritime Security and the protection of our National integrity and interests at sea.
Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:
Δημοσίευση σχολίου