“A three-day’s visit to Epirus, prefectures of Thesprotia and of Ioannina, and to Macedonia, prefectures of Kastoria, Florina and Kozani was completed a short time ago. During the visit I was accompanied by the Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff, the Commander of the Hellenic First Army and the Heads of the region’s Units. Its purpose was for us to visit every outpost, active outposts as well as those which are available and are located near the borderline. We spent the evening at the outposts with the Officers, the NCOs and the Privates.
The impression that this region creates is that there is an intense insecurity, mostly because borderline villages are abandoned. Citizens ask for the presence of Armed Forces and this is the reason why we take the following measures: Firstly, a large group of soldiers to be drafted during the oncoming Enlistment Series and during the next one, will be sent to the prefectures that we visited to staff Units and, particularly, forward outposts.
Secondly, tactical exercises of Special Units, especially of Raiders, will be conducted, whereas air assets will be present in all these areas.
In parallel, as part of the new Armed Forces structure, we are also considering to create Training Centres in the wider area, as well as to re-open certain outposts. The National Guard will be activated. We will return the armament to the National Guard. At the same time, we will consider the possibility for women, like Ms. Sophia Demetriou, who guard entire villages alone voluntarily, to be able to participate in the National Guard, in the context of Civil Defence, and to be trained by Officers of the Armed Forces.
I am particularly pleased by the high morale of all personnel of the Armed Forces, by their presence, as well as by the hospitality that local residents offer to the Armed Forces’ personnel, and also by their excellent professionalism. I wish to send a clear message to the residents of the borderline: They are completely safe and the Armed Forces are present. They are here and they will have even stronger presence here.”
JOURNALIST: Is there a particular comment you want to make about your presence here, in Kozani?
P. KAMMENOS: After today’s visit is completed, I will meet the Regional Governor, mayors, as well as with the local authorities and diocese, with MPs to discuss about all issues which regard the region and find solutions in common. The government is very close to every resident of the borderline.
