On Wednesday 26 June 2024, the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias attended the presentation of the project of the Professor of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Konstantinos Varotsos “Redevelopment of the Environs of the Ministry of National Defence”, held at the Armed Forces Officers Club.
The presentation was also attended by Chief/HNDGS General Dimitrios Choupis, the Secretary General of the Ministry of National Defence Antonios Oikonomou, Chief/HAGS Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, Chief/HNGS Vice Admiral Dimitrios Kataras HN, Chief/HAFGS Lieutenant General Dimosthenis Gregoriadis, the President of “Aikaterini Laskaridis” Foundation Rear Admiral (honorary) Panagiotis K. Laskaridis HN, members of the Armed Forces and others.
In his address, the Minister of National Defence pointed out the following:
“Chiefs, honorary Officers, ladies and gentlemen, members of the Armed Forces,
I am not going to make a novel statement. We live in very hard times.
The effort of the country to face these hard times regarding the Armed Forces is the “Agenda 2030”, which is in full development. Because the Armed Forces are changing and I dare to say that once this agenda is completed the Country will be able to line up the most powerful Armed Forces in its long-lasting history.
Tomorrow I will go to the Hellenic Parliament, to the competent Committee of Armaments, to propose the armament programmes for the F-35 and the “Constellation” frigates.
As you know, the “Belharra” frigates are under a process of shipbuilding. The “Black Hawk” helicopters have already started being delivered. The structure will change soon and the Hellenic Innovation Centre has already started to operate and I hope we will have tangible results in September.
An effort is also promoted for the improvement of the living conditions of the most significant asset that the Armed Forces possess, the personnel, and first of all I refer to the residential programme of the 100 million euros which is the first phase, secondly to the law for the fleet allowance published in the Government Gazette on the last 2-3 days and the other efforts which will be publicised, I hope, in the upcoming months.
Allow me to say that I deeply believe-as most Greeks- in symbolisms and to whatever they express. Furthermore, I believe that symbolisms can give meaning to our course and efforts.
So, here, you will be presented not only with a simple redevelopment of the Papagou Camp of the Ministry of National Defence, the one that the regular Greek citizen calls “the Pentagon”, imitating the foreign standard, but a symbolism of the huge effort that is made.
This symbolism has an inspirer, an artist inspirer. The professor of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, a sculptor who has surpassed the narrow geographical boundaries of our country, Mr Kostas Varotsos, who is with us today.
I would like to say that Mr Varotsos offered, pro bono, from the very first moment, not his labour but mainly his inspiration.
The interventions that we discuss refer to the creation of a new bioclimatic exterior of the Ministry, with a renovated reception hall of the Ministers and our esteemed foreign guests, to the construction of a new building of Electronic Warfare, to the building of a memorial arc of national memory, which will include all the names of the men who have fallen for our country.
I open a parenthesis here to say that the existing plaques with the names of our 121,692 dead, already inside the Camp, and which are a product of devotion of the former Chief/HNDGS, General Floros, in the preservation of the national memory, is planned to be moved and installed with respect at a special site at the Hellenic Army Academy (Evelpidon).
Revisiting the subject of changes, two olive groves will be planted to the right and left of the memorial. One will have 25 olive trees, a reminder of the 25th of March, and the other 28 olive trees, a reminder of the 28th of October.
Finally, we will proceed to the building of an underground garage, following the standards of the Hellenic Parliament, which will allow the much better, rational and aesthetically and environmentally improved utilisation of the Camp.
For the most part, regarding what I have just announced, their cost will be covered by private donations. The donor of the building of the Special Directorate for Electronic Warfare is Mr Thanos Laskaridis.
The upgrade of the entrance and of the space of distinguished guests is a contribution of Mr Giorgos Peristeris and GEK company. I am certain that the rest of the cost, which amounts to 30% of the total, will be covered by private donations.
But I would like to express our huge gratitude to Mr Laskaridis, Mr Varotsos and Mr Peristeris, because apart from the material impact, every contribution reinforces this strong bond between the Armed Forces of our Country, the Greek society and the eminent Greeks, who, out of their excess or lack of money, contribute to the Defence of our Country.
I think what you are about to see shortly, presented to you by Mr Varotsos, is a cultural investment in our Defence.
It is a participation of the art in our national future. It proves the interconnection of the Armed Forces with the art and gives long-lasting value to this site which is devoted to the protection of the national integrity of our country.
Allow me to conclude with a phrase that does not belong to me, it was uttered by a foreigner that I know. He said that politics is a hard, everyday struggle, but art is a prayer.
Thank you”.
During the presentation of the redevelopment project of the environs of the Ministry of National Defence, the Professor of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Konstantinos Varotsos mentioned, among other things, that there will be lighting on the base of the construction, which will be self-illuminated through the earth. On the glass parts, reaching six meters, the names of the modern heroes of the Nation will be written.
The centre will have a hearth which will be reflected on the lower level of the glass surfaces, multiplying the image.
Regarding the building of the Ministry of National Defence, Mr Varotsos stated that a membrane is being constructed, made of aluminium vertical poles, which will provide partial or total protection from the sun. He added that the building will have a base at the same height of the project and three elements which will represent the three Services of the Armed Forces. On the side of the memorial, two parks will be built, one on the left with 25 olive trees and one on the right with 28 more, symbolising the two major national anniversaries, which we honour on 25 March and 28 October respectively.
“I think we managed to make a holistic proposal, which embraces the whole courtyard and gives an uplift to the building, preserving its history in its interior, as well as all the existing commemorative elements”, the Professor of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki concluded.