“The escalation of regional crises and the resurgence of revisionist perceptions directly test the international security order. They test international law against the logic of imposition through force. They remind us that sovereignty presupposes the ability to defend oneself in a credible manner,” National Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said on Wednesday, in his address at the 19th Conference of Chiefs of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Balkan countries, held in Thessaloniki.

Dendias referred to the operational value of the Inter-Balkan Summit, the necessity of jointly addressing threats, and reaffirmed Greece’s steadfast commitment to the European perspective of the Western Balkans.

“This Conference constitutes a framework for coordination, cooperation and the development of a common operational understanding among our General Staffs,” he said, adding: “It is not merely a forum for the simple exchange of views. Its objective is to establish the practical foundations for joint politico-military cooperation. Without a common assessment of the security environment and a clear understanding of contemporary hybrid threats, effective coordination cannot be achieved. The threats are specific: terrorism, organized crime, cyberattacks, the instrumentalization of migratory flows, and multi-layered threats against critical infrastructure. These threats are not confined within national borders and cannot be addressed through isolated national responses. Above all, what is required is a shared perception of the threat, intelligence sharing, early warning, interoperability of means and procedures, and the capability for coordinated response. The Armed Forces of our countries are called upon to adapt rapidly and with a clear understanding of new hybrid threats. We, in Greece, have a clear perception of our role: as a European state with a Balkan identity, historical experience and institutional responsibility. As a country acting as a bridge for dialogue and as a hub of regional interoperability. For us, for Greece, the stability and prosperity of the Balkans constitute a vital national interest. What strengthens one of us, when placed within a framework of genuine cooperation, we believe strengthens all countries. Because the security of the Balkans is also a European matter. Greece has been a strong supporter of the European perspective of the Western Balkans since 2003, with the Thessaloniki Agenda. I am pleased that this Conference also began here in Thessaloniki in 2007.”