On Thursday 04 April 2024, the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr. Ioannis Kefalogiannis, visited Evros in the context of his two-day visit to Army Formations, Units, and Surveillance Posts in the D Army Corps area of responsibility.
Mr. Kefalogiannis, accompanied by the Commanding General of D Army Corps, Lieutenant General Stavros Papastathopoulos, visited the headquarters of the XVI Mechanised Infantry Division, in Didymotiho. There, he was welcomed by the Commanding General, Major General Ioannis Kostoulas, and was briefed on the organisation, structure, and mission of the Formation.
Next, he visited Didymotiho Kindergarten, as well as the 219th Mobile Field Surgery Hospital, where he was briefed on their staffing and operation. At the same time, he had the opportunity to discuss with National Guardsmen of the National Guard Battalions of the Division, the Officers’ Club of Didymotiho, whom he warmly thanked for their contribution to the country.
After that, he visited the Surveillance Posts “DILOFOS”, “1”, “5”, and “PRASINI PORTA”, where, among other things, he inspected the deterrent obstacle at Surveillance Posts “126”, “PLAGION”, as well as the area of the new deterrent obstacle of Psathades-Manitsa. There he was briefed on the progress of the construction works. He discussed with the patrols of the posts and congratulated the personnel for their work regarding the defence of national sovereignty. He was welcomed, respectively, by the Commanders of the 21st Mechanised Infantry Regiment Tactical Command, Colonel (Inf) Petros Skoufakis, the 3rd Mechanised Brigade, Brigadier General Vardis Harkianakis, the 50th Mechanised Brigade, Brigadier General Nikolaos Papageorgiou, and the 7th Mechanised Brigade, Brigadier General Stylianos Titanas.
The Deputy Minister visited the headquarters of the Single Border Control – Surveillance Centre at Nea Vissa, Orestiada, where he was welcomed by the Police Director of Orestiada, Athanasios Madarlis and briefed on the actions, procedures, and surveillance assets of our borders.
Finally, he met with His Eminence, the Metropolitan of Didymotiho, Orestiada, and Soufli, Mr. Damaskinos.
The Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Ioannis Kefalogiannis, upon conclusion of the two-day visit to Evros, made the following address:
“With great honour, I concluded my two-day visit to Evros, the forefront of our Country’s National Defence. Throughout my visits to Army Formations, Units and Surveillance Posts, in the area of responsibility of D Army Corps, I found out that the readiness, morale, and professionalism of the women and men of the Armed Forces, as well as of the enlisted men and our Country’s National Guardsmen, are exemplary. The posts and the Units are fully equipped and upgraded, whereas the expansion of the fence in Evros continues, as well as the reinforcement of the surveillance through technological means.
I congratulate the personnel for the excellence of performing the duty of defending the national sovereignty and the interests of Greece. I would like to assure you that we will support them in any way required. For this reason, among other things, we are taking initiatives, which aim at improving the quality of life of our members.
Undoubtedly, the most significant help is that of the biggest housing project in the history of the Armed Forces, the implementation of which proceeds at a quick pace, with the first phase starting during the following months and its completion being expected in the summer of 2027”.