The Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Hardalias visited on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 December 2021 Units, Surveillance Posts and Services of the Armed Forces and the Coast Guard, in the AOR of the 95 Higher National Guard Battalions Command, at the island complex of Kastellorizo.
In particular, on Christmas Eeve, the Deputy Minister of National Defence went to the islets Rho and Stroggyli, where he visited the Army Surveillance Posts and laid a wreath at the Monument of the Lady of Rho, paying tribute to her task and contribution to the country.
In the evening, Mr. Hardalias visited the Hellenic Navy’s Fast Attack Missile Craft GRIGOROPOULOS, which is on a mission in the area. During his visit he was offered a brief tour in the gunboat’s basic compartments, followed by dinner.
On Christmas Day, the Deputy Minister of National Defence attended the Liturgy at the Church of Agios Konstantinos and Eleni in Kastellorizo.
Afterwards, he visited the Island Defence Command, where he was briefed by the Commander, Colonel (Inf) Athanassios Foteinoglou, on its mission and activities, and had lunch with its personnel.
In the context of his 2-day visit, the Deputy Minister of National Defence discussed with the Officers, NCOs and conscripts who, in high spirit and with passion, guard our country’s borders at its south-east corner, the noble and beautiful Kastellorizo, and exchanged wishes in view of the Holy Days of Christmas, and the advent of the New Year.
From Kastellorizo, Mr. Hardalias made the following statement:
“Here, from the remote island of Kastellorizo, close to the personnel and conscripts of the Armed Forces, we are working for paece, we shield our country and, beyond and above anything else, we respond soberly and calmly to every offensive and arrogant rhetoric. We make clear that the men and women of the Armed Forces remain ready, whenever needed, to defend everything that is holy to us, our national independence and Hellenism’s
sovereign rights.”
Finally, the Deputy Minister of National Defence visited the Port Authority of Megisti, and met with the Mayor Mr. Georgios Sampsakos, representatives of local authorities and locals.
The Deputy Minister of National Defence, upon his arrival in Rhodes island, was received by the Commander of the 95 Higher National Guard Battalions Command, Major General Emmanouil Theodorou.
