Summary
Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos (Greek: Νικόλαος Παναγιωτόπουλος; born 18 August 1965 in Kavala)[1][2] is a Greek politician of the New Democracy party who served as Minister for National Defence in the cabinet of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis from 2019 to 2023.[3][4]
Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos | |
|---|---|
Νικόλαος Παναγιωτόπουλος | |
 Panagiotopoulos in 2021 | |
| Minister for National Defence | |
| In office 9 July 2019 – 26 May 2023 | |
| Prime Minister | Kyriakos Mitsotakis |
| Preceded by | Evangelos Apostolakis |
| Succeeded by | Alkiviadis Stefanis |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 August 1965 |
| Political party | New Democracy |
Political career edit
During Panagiotopoulos' time in office, the Greek parliament approved the purchase of six new and 12 used Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft from France for 2.5 billion euros ($3.04 billion) in January 2021.[5] Later that year, he led efforts on a defence pact between Greece and France, a NATO ally, whereby they would come to each other's aid in the event of an external threat. The pact included an order for three French frigates worth 3 billion euros.[6]
In the June 2023 Greek legislative election, he was elected to the Hellenic Parliament from Kavala.
References edit
- ^ "CV". Hellenic Parliament. Archived from the original on 9 July 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ "Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos". Ministry of National Defence. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ "New Greek PM sworn in and a new Cabinet is announced". Neos Kosmos. 9 July 2019. Archived from the original on 22 August 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ^ "The Composition of the New Greek Government". The National Herald. 9 July 2019. Archived from the original on 22 August 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ^ Greek parliament approves purchase of Rafale fighters from France Reuters, January 14, 2021.
- ^ John Irish (28 September 2021), Macron tells Europe to 'stop being naive' after France signs defence deal with Greece Reuters.