On Wednesday, 3 February, and Thursday, 4 February 2021, the Deputy Minister of National Defence Alkiviadis Stefanis visited the Regional Units of Thessaloniki, Drama, and Florina.

On Wednesday, 3 Fenruary, he visited Camp “ANTGOU G. KATSANI” in Redina, Thessaloniki, where he was briefed on current activities of the 1st Raider – Parachutist Brigade and attended training activities of courses taught at the Unconventional Warfare Training Centre.

He then went to Drama, where he visited facilities renovated with the kind sponsorship of “CYCLOPS” Civil Non-Profit Company. These projects are a breeze of fresh air for both the locals and the area.

On Thursday, 4 Gebruary, he visited the Multinational Peace Support Operations Training Centre (MPSOTC) in Kilkis, where he was briefed on its training work and its contribution to the provision of education and training for the Hellenic Armed Forces and the international military training community. The Centre provides UN and NATO certified training courses for Officers and private individuals. In his address, the Deputy Minister of National Defence characterised the MPSOTC as a defence diplomacy tool of the Armed Forces and referred to the importance of training courses on subjects such as strategic communication, cultural heritage protection, and cultural awareness.

Also present during the visit was the Deputy Minister of Digital Governance and MP for Kilkis, Mr. Georgios Georgantas, within the framework of the Ministry of Digital Governance’s contribution to the upgrade of the MPSOTC and the Armed Forces as a whole.

Finally, he went to Florina where he visited the 1st Infantry Regiment and was briefed on its current activities. While in the city, he also met with the Metropolitan of Florina, Prespes, and Eordea, Mr. Theoklitos, the Deputy Head of Region, Mr. Ioannis Kioses, the President of the Community of Kelli, Mr. Athanasios Taskas, and the Mayor of Prespes, Mr. Panagiotis Paschalidis.