The Minister of National Defence Mr. Panos Panagiotopoulos visited yesterday, Thursday, the Officers, NCOs and soldiers who serve at guard posts of the small islets of the Dodecanese.

Accompanied by the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff General Michail Kostarakos, the Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff Lieutenant General Athanassios Tselios, the Commander of the Higher Military Command of Interior and Islands Lieutenant General Efstathios Panitsidis and the Commander of the 80Higher National Guard Battalions Command, Brigadier General Vassilios Baldoumis, the Minister of National Defence visited the guard posts on the islands Pserimos, Kalolimnos and Farmakonissi. Mr. Panos Panagiotopoulos listened attentively to the problems faced by the conscribed serving there, where –as he pointed out– the heart of Greece is beating and where he ascertained their living conditions.

The first stop the Minister and the Military Leadership made was the borderline guard post of Pserimos, where he discussed with the conscripts, underlining the very important mission they effect, expressing at the same time the pride that the State, the Political and Military Leadership of the Ministry of National Defence feel. The Minister of National Defence, after being briefed by the head of the guard post, asked that all their needs will be noted, for the amelioration of the conscripts’ living.

At Pserimos, which is the only inhabited island, Mr. Panagiotopoulos had the chance to discuss with the few residents of the borderline island who called to his attention the problems they face, especially during winter season.

Afterwards, the Minister of National Defence visited the guard post of Kalolimnos. There he ascertained the high spirit, as well as the intense sense of responsibility that dominate the men at the guard post.

Mr. Panagiotopoulos’ last stop was at the guard post of Farmakonissi, which is near Leros Island. Mr. Minister toured the installations of the guard post, discussed with the conscripts and was briefed by the relevant Officer for the mission they perform. Immediately afterwards, recapitulating his visits at the three guard posts, he stated:

“From the headquarters of the brigade on the island of Kos, we moved to the islets of the complex of islands, at Pserimos, Kalolimnos and now at Farmakonissi, so as to inspect the Military Guards and shake hands with the Officers, NCOs and conscripts, our children who serve here, guarding Greece’s borderline; the children who deserve many congratulations.

From these children, we receive a message, that the Armed Forces are fully devoted to their duty; the duty that the Country, the National and the Greek people entrusted them with. So that we can all be safe and undistracted get into our great endeavor, the great National effort for the country’s reform”.