Event at the Consulate General in New York in honor of the Deputy Minister of Defense Mr. Nikos Hardalias

An event in honor of the Deputy Minister of Defense Mr. Nikos Hardalias was organized at the Consulate General of New York on October 12th, within the framework of his official visit to Washington and New York, in the presence of distinguished Greek Americans and representatives of Greek Organizations.

The Consul General of New York, Mr. Dinos Constantinou, welcoming the Deputy Minister of Defense, referred to the pivotal role that Mr. Hardalias carried out in his previous capacity as Deputy Minister of Civil Protection, especially during the pandemic in Greece, when he was called upon to take critical  decisions under sometimes under adverse conditions.

He also emphasized that the visit of the Deputy Minister of Defense is extremely important because it reiterates the excellent level of bilateral relations between Greece and the United States of America, currently at an all-time high, to the benefit of peace and stability of the  wider region of the south-eastern Mediterranean, which today faces the challenges we all know.

He also underlined that in this geostrategic chess game in Southeast Europe, there is a need to agree that International Law has to be respected. At this point, Mr. Konstantinou stressed what the Prime Minister has repeatedly stated, even at the recent UN General Assembly, “that the sovereignty of Greece and its sovereign rights are non-negotiable, and this must be clear to all sides”. In this context - he emphasized - the visit of Mr. Deputy Minister of Defense is of utmost importance for the Greek-American community, conveying the message that the armed forces of our country are well-equipped and ready to face any challenge. Furthermore, he noted that the diaspora in the USA has decisively contributed to the promotion of Greek causes, both in Washington and throughout the USA.

From his side, the Deputy Minister of Defense Mr. Hardalias, referring to his previous work at the Ministry of Civil Protection, emphasized the excellent leadership of the Prime Minister, who was present all the time and gave directions, putting as the primary goal to save human lives and making Greece a good example worldwide. He also mentioned the creation of the PLF platform, the idea for the design of which was based on an expatriate, who contacted Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who immediately responded. In particular, he said that the "EVA" program was started by a Greek of the Diaspora, Kimon Drakopoulos, a university professor in Los Angeles. Mr. Drakopoulos together with Sotiris Tsiodras and himself finalized the program, which was awarded by 'Nature' Magazine.

Mr. Hardalias, referring to the prevailing strained climate at the given time, assured the Greek Americans who live far from the homeland, but who are always moved by the blue of the sea and the flag, that Greece is strong and aims for peace.

Greece remains sober. “But we remain non-negotiable on anything related to our national sovereign rights. This is a message that goes everywhere, to friends, to allies, to neighbors, to all those who believe that there really should be peace in the wider region - and we are the ones who are looking for it”, emphasized the Deputy Minister of National Defense, who made it clear that “Greece does not threaten anyone, but will act if needed".

It is noted that present at the event were, among others, the Greek American Senator (Rhode Island) and President of the World Interparliamentary Union of Hellenism (PADE), Leonidas ("Lou") Raptakis, the former Director of the FBI in New York, George Venizelos, members of Boards of Directors of Greek Organizations, prominent members of the NY Greek-American Community, representatives of the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce and the  Greek American media.

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