On Friday, 23 August 2019, the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Alkiviadis Stefanis, visited Units and border outposts in the Prefecture of Ioannina.

The Deputy Minister, accompanied by the Commanding General of C Army Corps/NRDC-GR, Lieutenant General Konstantinos Koutras, visited the Headquarters of the 8th Motorised Brigade in Ioannina where, after a short briefing, he addressed the personnel of the Formation’s Staff and the Commanders of its subordinate Units.

He congratulated and thanked the Command, the Staff, and all Armed Forces personnel serving in the Garrison for their excellent work in an area of responsibility that is very large and difficult, due to the ruggedness of the terrain.

He stressed the pride they should feel, as well as the great responsibility they have for the surveillance of this unique and sensitive border area of our country.

He stressed the need for a new philosophy in the area of surveillance, examining and selecting modern methods, in cooperation with the local authorities and communities.

He prompted the Commands to re-examine and redefine the threat in their areas of responsibility, as well as the key points which, with proper interventions, will speed up and improve the operation of the Formation and its Units.

The Minister of National Defence then visited the Surveillance Outposts of DRYMADES and MOLYVDOSKEPASTOS on the Greek-Albanian border and dined at the latter. He discussed with the outpost garrisons, stressing the importance of Armed Forces presence in these sparsely populated border areas of our country.

Within the framework of his visit, the Deputy Minister of National Defence met with the current Mayor of Konitsa, Andreas Papaspyrou, and the Mayor elect, Nikolaos Exarhou, with whom he discussed matter of mutual interest.

He also visited the Monastery of Saint Kosmas of Aetolia in Konitsa, where he attended the religious events to celebrate Saint Kosmas of Aetolia.