ATHENS — “Greece is a steadfast, reliable and dependable partner of NATO. We have always been committed to the fundamental common values and ideals of the Alliance and we take initiatives through which cohesion and unity are promoted,” stated Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos on Tuesday, inaugurating the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence Centre of Excellence (IAMD CoE) headed by Greece and based in Chania, Crete.

He said the role of the IAMD CoE was very important, adding that “its main goal is the improvement of the interoperational efficiency of the Alliance, along with the promotion of ideas, doctrines and best practices in the sector of Air and Missile Defence.

The Excellence Centre will offer the Alliance important services in terms of knowhow and specialisation, training, best practices, analysis and in identifying the lessons learned in the demanding field of Air and Missile Defence.