The Deputy Minister of National Defense Mr. Nikolaos Hardalias visited yesterday, Tuesday, December 13, 2022, the 424 General Military Training Hospital (424 GSNE), in Thessaloniki, where he inaugurated the complete energy upgrade project of the building infrastructure of the Military Nursing Institution.

The project, which was implemented in collaboration with the Region of Central Macedonia and financed through the absorption and utilization of community funds from the NSRF 2014-2020, will contribute catalytically to the reduction of the energy footprint of the building complex of the Military Hospital.

The Deputy Minister of National Defense underlined the immediate response and their catalytic contribution in all stages of the implementation of the project, the Deputy Minister of the Interior in charge of Macedonia-Thrace issues, Mr. Stavros Kalafatis and the Regional Governor of Central Macedonia Mr. Apostolos Tzitzikostas.

In his speech, the Deputy Minister of National Defense, among other things, pointed out:

“The specific project, which was successfully completed, demonstrates the practical interest of the Ministry of National Defense, the Government, in two areas of vital importance for the quality of life of Greek citizens.

The first sector, Health services, which are a key pillar of the welfare state. The effort to upgrade the public health infrastructure is permanent, systematic, holistic, horizontal, especially when we talk about the Armed Forces, whose personnel guarantee the defense and security of the country in a period of intense international instability and major national geopolitical challenges. In conjunction with the new oncology hospital, which will be built in this area, the cost of construction and equipment of which is expected to exceed two hundred and fifty million euros, as well as the Papageorgiou Hospital, the current upgrade of 424 GSNE aims to create a modern and of a strong, “health complex”, which will be a point of reference, not just for Macedonia but for the entire Balkans. Thessaloniki and Northern Greece as a whole do not deserve and do not settle for anything less, and this must be the clear message to everyone!

The second sector is that of energy. The wider Greek energy policy focuses on the viable and sustainable development of the energy sector from the stage of production to final use, while simultaneously protecting the environment and contributing to tackling the climate crisis. The success of projects like this one, which is a pioneer for Greek data, shows that we are in the right direction, while in the next few days the contract for the upgrade of the 401 GSNA, the energy upgrade, an equally important project in the heart of Attica will be signed .

The absorption and utilization of community funds, amounting to more than three and a half million euros, which financed the energy upgrade of 424 GSNE, in the context of the NSRF 2014-2020, was extremely successful. It is proven for the umpteenth time the benefit that our country derives from the position of all these years in the hard core of the great European “family”, as the effort to transition to a “green” economy, always based on a rational energy management, continues.

He especially congratulated the Region of Central Macedonia and personally the Regional Governor Apostolos Tzitzikostas, for their catalytic role in all stages of the project. The close and harmonious cooperation in the Ministry of National Defense, between the Government and with the assistance of the Deputy Minister of Interior Stavros Kalafatis, together with the local government is proving to be the cornerstone of the advancement of the place.

He also congratulated all those who worked to complete these studies, to make them OK, together with the services of the Regional Governor and assured that “those of us in the political leadership of the Ministry of National Defense feel, I say it everywhere, I say it publicly because I really mean it, that we cooperate with our executives. The value when you serve is to be useful to them and to society».

In the context of the event, a Consecration of the work of the parish priest was held by His Eminence the Metropolitan of Neapolis and Stavroupolis etc. Barnabaswhile greetings were addressed by the Regional Governor of Central Macedonia, Mr. Apostolos Tzizikostasthe Chief GES Lieutenant General Charalambos Lalousis who also represented the GEETHA Chief General at the ceremony Konstantinos Floros and the Director of 424 GSNE Brigadier General (YI) George Gouvas.

The ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Minister of the Interior in charge of Macedonia-Thrace affairs, Mr. Stavros Kalafatisthe 1st Army Commanders/EU-OHQ Lt.-Gen Angelos Houdeloudis and 3rd Army Corps Lieutenant General Sotirios Kostakoglouthe Mayors of Ampelokipi & Menemeni, etc. Lazaros Kyrizoglou and Pavlou Mela K. Dimitrios Demourtzidisas well as Officers, NCOs and Civil Servants of the 424 GSNE.

Before the start of the opening ceremony, from the headquarters of 424 GSNE, the Deputy Minister of National Defense Mr. Nikolaos Hardalias stated:

“It is a very important day for the 424 GSNE, for the Armed Forces, but if you want, it is also the sealing of a cooperation of many years with the Region of Central Macedonia, with the personal interest of the Region Governor. The energy upgrade project of 424 GSNE is another project that comes to demonstrate the excellent cooperation that the Armed Forces Services have with the Region and the unique way in which they submit and complete studies in an organized, coordinated, structured manner so that we can absorb funds.

Once again, I want to thank the Regional Governor, Apostolos Tzizikostas, with whom our cooperation is not specific, it is horizontal, it is holistic, he loves the Armed Forces, he loves his region, he loves everything that is Greek.

Regarding Greek-Turkish relations, the Deputy Minister of National Defense stated:

“Our job is to be in the field, be sober, be cool and know that our Armed Forces are mighty. Our country is a protagonist. What we have to do is to continue working alongside the Armed Forces, our officers, in every corner of Greece, who are doing an excellent job.

And believe me, under any condition the Armed Forces will do their duty. This is clear to everyone. To allies, to friends, to enemies, to reviewers. We are here and we are strong.”