On Wednesday 19 June 2024, the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias welcomed, in the Ministry of National Defence, the Commissioner for the Internal Market of the European Union Thierry Breton, responsible among other things, for the strengthening of the technological independence, the artificial intelligence, the defence and space technology and cyber security, as well as the for the development of the European Defence Fund (EDF).
During the joint statements with Mr Breton, Mr Dendias stated:
“Honourable Commissioner,
With great joy, I welcome you today to Athens, here, at the Ministry of National Defence.
With Commissioner Breton, we are going to discuss a series of matters, specifically the European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) and the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP). Both matters concern the strengthening of the European capabilities.
They are matters of great importance and of course, these initiatives that concern the Hellenic Defence Industry as well, have as main consideration and direction the interests of Security and Defence of all member nations of the European Union. All the more so, in a special coincidence, when on one hand the technological development and on the other hand, the regional threats stress the need for the modernisation and adjustment of the defence capabilities of the member-states of the European Union.
In our neighbourhood, conflicts are conducted and there are focal points ready to ignite. From the north and east borders of Europe until the south, we face revisionisms and violation of the International Law rules.
Therefore, these challenges stress the need for a uniform European answer. No one has the capability to face the challenges by themselves.
In the context of the implementation of the “Agenda 2030” for the reform of the Hellenic Armed Forces, I will have the opportunity to brief Commissioner Breton on the recent initiatives of our Government, with the passage of the law which provides for the establishment of the Hellenic Centre for Defence Innovation, which of course will have the main role in the cooperation with the Committee.
Concluding, I also want to recognise the leading role of Commissioner Breton in our joint effort for a powerful defence industry. In his effort, I think an important element is the suggestion of the Greek Prime Minister and the Polish Prime Minister for the establishment of a joint dome of air defence, an approach which satisfies radically the need of all European countries to have solutions to the problems of the challenges they face.
Once again Commissioner I welcome you to Athens”.
A working dinner followed.