The Minister of National Defence Panos Kammenos, accompanied by the Chief of HNDGS General Michail Kostarakos, went today Saturday February 7 2015 to Evros, where he visited the regions that are suffering due to the devastating floods. Panos Kammenos visited the Guard Post 126 of the 50th Mechanised Infantry Brigade at Soufli, the drainage operations at Soufli, the Guard Post at Plagies, and the villages of Lagina and Poros.

The Minister of National Defence stated the following:

“We are here today, with the Chief of HNDGS General Kostarakos and the military authorities, in order to witness the massive disasters that have been caused by the Evros river flood. The disasters are unprecedented and after 1963, it is the first time we observe flooded houses. Immeasurable catastrophes have also been caused to crops.

First of all, I would like to congratulate the Armed Forces, the Land Army that has been by the inhabitants’ side all these days. They assure that they will carry on being here until this vast catastrophe has will stop and all damage will be repaired. The Armed Forces, the officers, NCOs and conscripts fought an important battle since the region of Evros is our country too; it is the Armed Forces’ country. Orders will be issued immediately so as to reward the conscripts for their sacrifice during all these days.

As political leadership, together with the Chief of the HNDGS, we ordered for new conscripts to be transferred primarily from units across Greece to Evros, but also to the islands. Releases will be made within the next hours, during the programme statements. It is not possible for certain people to serve in Athens and have the exact same treatment with others who guard the outposts in Evros. Any actions of “favouritism” should be made only based on social criteria – where children of unemployed parents who are victims of the crisis are in need – and not on political criteria.

The units in Evros, near the borders and on the islands will be staffed at 100% at least. We cannot keep seeing units staffed at 400% in Kalamata and at 30% near the borders.

I want to assure you also on behalf of the Prime Minister that the government will do everything to restore the damages. The state will act in cooperation with the local authorities to compensate the suffering residents. As the Armed Forces did, the other authorities must also stand at the side of the local residents. Evros should be a concern of all of us and become a place where young people will return, where the land will be cultivated again, production will restart; and it shouldn’t become a place that will send emigrants all over the world.”