The Minister of National Defense Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos participated in the NATO Defense Ministers’ Summit, held in Brussels, on October 12 and 13, 2022.

During the working dinner on October 12, which was attended by the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Mr. Oleksii Reznikovthe Minister emphasized that Greece condemns the illegal annexation of Ukrainian provinces of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia by Russia.

Mr. Panagiotopoulos underlined that Greece has provided military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and in the previous days, the first of a total of forty (40) BMP-1 Armored Combat Vehicles (AMVs) were delivered for deployment.

In the discussion on NATO’s nuclear planning, the Minister expressed the importance of the Alliance’s deterrence policy, taking into account Russia’s aggressive rhetoric and the threat of using nuclear weapons.

He also pointed out that it is necessary to strengthen the defense industries of the NATO Member States, in order to increase the defense capabilities in the emerging security environment.

Mr. Panagiotopoulos placed special emphasis on maintaining and strengthening the unity and cohesion of the Alliance, based on its principles and values. He underlined the importance of a decisive response to Russia’s aggression and revisionism and full respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, which is a fundamental stake of the war.

Finally, the Minister referred to the strategic importance of the Western Balkans, which was reflected in the new Strategic Doctrine of NATO, and pointed out that our country supports the Euro-Atlantic course of Bosnia-Herzegovina, on the basis of the implementation of the required reforms and the consolidation of security and stability in the country.

On the sidelines of the work of the Synod, Mr. Minister held bilateral meetings, including with the US Defense Ministers Mr. Lloyd Austinof France Mr. Sebastien Lécornuof Germany Mr. Christine Lambrechtof the United Kingdom, etc. Ben Wallace and the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Policy and Security Policy matters, Mr. Joseph Borrell during which matters of mutual interest were discussed.