D. AVRAMOPOULOS: It is a great pleasure to welcome here today at the Ministry of National Defence, the Secretary General of NATO, Mr. Rasmussen in Greece, on occasion of the completion of 60 years of our country’s active contribution to the North-Atlantic Treaty.

Your presence here in Greece coincides with a difficult circumstance, with significant and serious economic and financial problems we currently face. However, I would like to inform and assure you that this situation has not in the least disturbed the defence system of our country, who will remain and persist being a stabilizing factor in the area, for security, cooperation and understanding among all peoples.

We have discussed with Mr. Rasmussen a series of issues pertaining to the Hellenic presence and to our country’s contribution to the Alliance, as well as NATO’s new role, as it is outlined in view of the Summit of Chicago, in May 2012.

We have discussed on the participation of Greece in NATO missions, within Europe and not, as well as on the proposal to ameliorate the defence capabilities of the Alliance’s member-states, during a period of serious economic cuts to national budgets.

Of course, we have also discussed on issues pertaining to the relations between Greece and the countries of the broader region, as well as Turkey –  who also celebrates the anniversary of 60 years participation in the Alliance –  and finally matters such as the Cyprus issue.

We have also discussed on other matters with the Secretary General, such as the missile defence shield and NATO-Russian relations, which our country supports, in the framework of the principles of strategic partnership relations.

I would like to thank you once more for your presence here and welcome you to our country.

A. RASMUSSEN : Minister Mr. Avramopoulos thank you very much indeed for your kind words.

I am very happy to be in Athens today to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of Greece membership to NATO. This is a significant milestone for our Alliance.

Greece is one of our longest standing Allies and one of the pillars of our collective security. Together with Greece we have guarded Europe’s southern flank during the Cold War and overcome the tensions that followed the break-up of the Soviet .

Greece has made significant contributions to our operations, protecting civilians in Libya, achieving stability in Afghanistan and Kosovo.

As we all know we are living in tough economic times and we have to make tough choices. However, NATO is a family; a family where we help each other and we make each other stronger.

I am here to celebrate your membership and to thank you for your significant contribution over 60 years. I am sure that together we can emerge stronger from this crisis. We are going to demonstrate that at the next NATO Summit in Chicago in May.

We will look ahead to the future. At the Summit we will have to shape an Alliance which is capable of overcoming the challenges presented by today’s financial austerity; while, at the same time, guaranteeing security for tomorrow. From the economic crisis to violent extremism, from piracy to stabilizing Afghanistan, we all face the same threats to our security. And no country can deal with those challenges alone.

So, now is the time to renew our commitment to the vital trans-Atlantic bond. That bond is the best security investment we have ever made. It has stood the test of time for over 6 decades. And thanks to it, NATO continues to deliver real returns for all Allies. This means real value for money and real value for security.

We thank Greece very much for your commitment to our Alliance.

Thank you very much.