A high-level delegation of the Greek armed forces will visit Australia for the 82nd anniversary of the Battle of Crete.
Chief of Staff, Vice General George Kyriakou, Commander of the Navy Stylianos Mitsiotis, and the Military Attaché from Canberra, Colonel Ioannis Fassianos willbe present for the events.
The delegation’s program includes activities and events in five Australian cities and Wellington, New Zealand. Commemorative ceremonies will be held, and olive planting ceremonies will take place at Lamia Barracks in Sydney and Melbourne. The delegation will also have the opportunity to meet Australian expatriates and honour remaining veterans of the Battle of Crete. The President of the Cretan Federation of Australia & New Zealand expressed his appreciation for the delegation’s visit and thanked the Mitsotakis government and Chief of the Greek Armed Forces for their support.
Lieutenant General Georgios Kyriakou
Lt. General Georgios Kyriakou is the Chief of Staff of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff (HNDGS). He has an extensive military background and has undergone various training and promotions, including being a test pilot of T-2E and Mirage 2000. He has also held different positions such as a Squadron Commander, Director of section in HAFGS/OC /Operations-Department, and Commander of 114CW. In March 2023, he was promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed as Chief of Staff of the HNDGS. He speaks English, is married, and has one child. He has received all Greek Armed Forces decorations and medals up to his rank.
Lieutenant Commander Stylianos Mitsiotis
Stylianos Mitsiotis is a Staff Officer in the 1st Department of the Public Relations Directorate of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff (HNDGS). He joined the Petty Officers Naval Academy in 1990 and graduated in 1993. He is a graduate of several schools including the Naval Staff Officers School and the Joint Language Institute of Armed Forces. He has served in various strike units of the Hellenic Navy and also as a Staff Officer at the Public Relations Directorate of the Hellenic Navy General Staff and the Protocol Office and Public Relations Directorate of the Ministry of the National Defence. He speaks English and Chinese, is married, and holds all the designated medals and commendations for his rank.
When and where:
The delegation’s programme in Australia includes activities and events in Perth from 9 to 11 May, Sydney from 12 to 15 May, Canberra from 16 to 17 May, Melbourne from 18 to 21 May and Wellington, New Zealand from 23 to 25 May. Due to time constraints, the events in Hobart, Tasmania, and Darwin, Northern Territory, will be attended by the Military Attaché of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Colonel John Pheasant.
