Meeting of the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff with the Ambassador of Australia in Greece
On Friday, 1 December 2023, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Konstantinos Floros, met in his office with the Ambassador of Australia to Greece, Ms. Alison Duncan.
Their meeting, which took place in a particularly warm atmosphere, was the second in a short period of time, with the previous one taking place a few days ago at the event for the 20th anniversary of the Supreme Joint War College (ΑΔΙΣΠΟ).
Issues of mutual interest were discussed, with an emphasis on the current developments in Ukraine and Israel, as well as on the foci of instability in Syria, Libya, Lebanon, North Kosovo and the Sahel region, with the resulting migration and refugee flows.
In addition, the long-term cooperation of the two countries in the field of exchange of know-how was discussed, as well as the participation of officers of the Australian Armed Forces in trainings conducted by allied structures operating in Greece, while they also referred to the hosting of children and companions of Federations – Associations of the Greek Omogenia in infrastructures of the Armed Forces, in the context of educational visits to Greece.
The Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff referred to the rapid change in the security environment after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, underlining the contribution of Greece with humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine, pointing out the instability and dangers posed by revisionism of all kinds and wherever it comes from.
General Konstantinos Floros also emphasised the contribution of the Greek Armed Forces in highlighting the added value of Greece as a pillar of stability and security in the wider region, emphasising the close military relationship with most Arab countries and Israel, as well as with France and the USA.
The Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff made special reference to the recent developments in Israel. On this basis, he underlined Greece’s positive response to the requests of many countries, including Australia, to host aircraft and personnel in order to assist in operations to evacuate their nationals from the Middle East.
On a bilateral level, he referred to the special ties between Greece and Australia, for the strengthening of which the Greek Diaspora has played a decisive role over the decades, and pointed out the excellent relations between the two countries and the mutual respect between the two peoples, who share the same principles and the same vision for peace and security throughout the world, based on the principles of International Law and the precepts of good neighbourliness.
In closing, the Chief of the General Staff referred to the prospect of strengthening the military relations of the two countries despite the great geographical distance between them, by jointly conducting joint trainings.
