Commander of the Finnish Army Lieutenant General Pasi Välimäki received by Chief of the Hellenic Army

The purpose of the visit was to strengthen cooperation between the two nations’ Armies, and to identify opportunities for deepening cooperating.

Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Pasi Välimäki visited Athens at the invitation of Chief of the Hellenic Army, Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis during 5.-7.11.2025. The visit included discussing topical issues of the nations’ Armies, a.o., liability for military service, Army modernisation, inter-agency executive assistance, NATO integration of Finland, and lessons learned relating to the war in Ukraine. 

During the visit, Lieutenant General Välimäki took note of the structural and operational modernisation of the Hellenic Army, development of the conscription system and reserve, as well as familiarised with commissioned-officer training, and research, development and innovation activity.

"The activity and structures of the Hellenic Army and Finnish Army feature several common similarities, such as a reserve-based field army, as well as modernisation of the Army while sustaining operational readiness. As a matter of consistency, it is logical to start deepening cooperation by exchange of information and discussion concerning practical matters, such as training cooperation between service personnel and the reserve, development and training relating to unmanned aerial systems, as well as materiel modernisation of the Army. The first steps of cooperation have already been taken – this provides an excellent basis for further progress", Lieutenant General Välimäki says.