Australia’s Greek diaspora should not worry about the Turkish provocations in the Aegean because the country is ‘strong’ and the Hellenic Armed Forces ready to counter outside threats, Deputy Defence Minister Nikos Hardalias told representatives of community organisations yesterday, during an event hosted by the Consul General of Greece in Adelaide, George Psiachas.
The Minister conversed with the attendees and reassured them that “back in the homeland we do the best we can so you, here in the Antipodes, can have a country to be proud of.”
“This visit has been extremely fruitful and we have already taken the first steps to further strengthen our military relations with Australia,” he emphasised. “Let’s not forget that both countries share common values and during the course of history often faced the same enemies.”
Hardalias announced that Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles, has accepted an invitation to attend a high-profile International Defence Exhibition that will be held in Athens in May 2023, and also said he is hopeful that the Lemnos Remembrance Trail will be ready within the next few years.
The Australian Federal Government has allocated $4.9 million for the Trail that will be created in recognition of the Australian doctors, nurses and other service personnel who served there during the First World War.
“In the coming days, a team from Australia will be on Lemnos to finalise some details for the technical study which will be ready by March next year and we are hopeful the project will be ready by 2025,” he said.
During his speech, the Greek Minister especially thanked Federal Member for Adelaide, Steve Georganas and SA Energy Minister, Tom Koutsantonis for their efforts to raise awareness in Australia for issues concerning Greece and the country’s position as a pillar of stability, peace and development in south-eastern Europe and the Balkans.
“I know you are worried about the provocations but we are and will remain focused on the International Law and the Law of the Sea,” Hardalias said.
“We seek cooperation, we want peace in the region and we have nothing against the Turkish people, however what is non-negotiable are our sovereign rights and we will not take a step back.”
On the same evening, Hardalias attended a Hellenic Australian Lawyers event held at the Adelaide Pavilion and will attend a number of OXI Day events before his departure to Greece on Saturday, October 29.
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