On Wednesday 13 March 2024, the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias visited the headquarters of XII Mechanised Infantry Division in Alexandroupolis, accompanied by the Chief/HNDGS General Dimitrios Choupis and the Chief/HAGS Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis.

The Commander of the 1 st Army Lieutenant General Dimokritos Konstantakos and the Commander of D Army Corps Lieutenant General Stavros Papastathopoulos were present.

Mr. Dendias was briefed by the Commander of XII Mechanised Infantry Division Brigadier General Georgios Giotis on operational matters and the mission of the Formation.

In his address to the Command and the members of XII Mechanised Infantry Division, Mr. Dendias stated:

“Chief/HNDGS, Army Chief, Generals, ladies and gentlemen members of the Armed Forces, it is a great pleasure and honour to be here today, at the headquarters of the 12 th Mechanised Division here in Alexandroupolis.

I am a citizen of this city, and I am proud that I realised a long time ago its huge capabilities and the role that it can play for both our country and our allies.

The first vision for Alexandroupolis appeared on the map through the agreement with the United States of America in 2019 and I had the honour to sign that defence agreement as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the first Mitsotakis Government. Should one read its text, he can clearly read the strategic importance of Alexandroupolis.

A centre of focal point, an energy hub, a centre of supply chain.

I had mentioned then, during the signing of that agreement, how big of a stake the success of this project, which also constitutes a success for the Thracian society, is for Greece, our allies and NATO as well.

I can say today that the stake has been won. We live at an era of great geopolitical uncertainty, I am not telling you something new, our country,

Greece, with the support of our Armed Forces, is a pillar of stability and security, mainly because it can project its deterrent capability.

A few days ago, actually two, we were along with the Chief/HNDGS and the Navy Chief at the Gulf of Aden, aboard our frigate Hydra. We felt proud to see our country’s flag on the mast of Hydra and, as you know, today morning Hydra, in the context of its mission, was engaged in a deterrence of a drone attack against a commercial ship.

We are proud of the operations of our country that are conducted for the protection of national interest, the role of our country and the interests of every Greek man and woman of the Greek society as well.

Furthermore, I would like to say something about the Agenda 2030, the transformation plan of our country’s Armed Forces since the establishment of the Hellenic State, as characteristically the Prime Minister said during the session of the Cabinet.
A very important step towards this direction is the draft law, which was recently approved by the Cabinet and in a few days it will be presented in the Parliament, regarding the research, development and innovation in the Armed Forces.

It also includes the modernisation of the institutional framework of the military academies, so that the high-level students can work on research and be able to do research at a PhD level as well.

It also includes the establishment of a joint Informatics Corps, the establishment of an Innovation Directorate, so that we are able to create a modern and efficient army, modern and efficient Armed Forces, that can
efficiently respond to the challenges of the 21 st century.

To ensure the role of our country, the security of the Greek citizens, the capability of the Greek society to develop and improve the quality of life of our fellow citizens in an environment of peace.

Also to fully safeguard our national sovereignty, independence and sovereign rights against any controversy and threat.

I would like to warmly thank all the members, especially here in Thrace, for their contribution, service, for their participation in ensuring the independence and integrity of our country.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”