Athens, 18 September 2021 (MIA) – NATO’s operations, missions and activities, the Alliance’s deterrence and defense posture, future challenges, the NATO 2030 initiative will be in the focus of the NATO Military Chiefs of Defense Conference which is taking place in Athens, with Chief of the General Staff of North Macedonia, Lieutenant General Vasko Gjurchinovski, in attendance, MIA’s Athens correspondent reports. The opening remarks were delivered by the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer, Greek Defense Minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, General Konstantinos Floros, while Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addressed the participants via video. Admiral Bauer said 2021 was the year that saw the end of the military presence in Afghanistan after two decades. On behalf of the Military Committee, he thanked the 3.2 million men and women who served the Alliance with dedication, professionalism and sacrifice. He asked for a moment of silence to remember the sacrifice of the men and women killed or wounded in the line of duty. Greek PM Mitsotakis said 2021 marked the beginning of a new cycle of NATO adaptation, and the NATO 2030 agenda sets the tone for it. He added that Greece remains a strong and reliable ally, supporting NATO security interests in the Balkans, in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as in the missions, operations and activities of the Alliance. Greek Defense Minister Panagiotopoulos pointed out that Greece is a stable and credible ally in the region, supporting unity in the Alliance, as well as stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean, in the Balkans and beyond. Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, General Konstantinos Floros, said Greece is the pillar of stability in the Eastern Meditteranean, adding that the country always builds bridges that bring nations closer to cooperation. The General Staff of the Army of North Macedonia said in a press release on Saturday’s NATO Military Committee Conference that the Army always participates in major international military exercises and NATO peacekeeping operations, which significantly contributes to all activities of the Alliance and for which it is recognized as a respectable ally. Chief of the General Staff of North Macedonia, Lieutenant General Vasko Gjurchinovski during his visit to Athens on Friday met with North Macedonia’s Ambassador to Greece Lidija Boshkovska. The NATO Military Committee of Chiefs of Defense holds two annual meetings. Once a year the Chiefs of Defense gather in one of the NATO member states.