On Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 August 2021 the Deputy Minister of National Defence Alkiviadis Stefanis traveled to Lesvos.

He supervised the surveillance and deterrence procedures at the borders onboard a Hellenic Coast Guard vessel and he also visited the Hellenic Police Surveillance Element of Nees Kydonies. Additionally, onboard the new Patrol Vessel of the Hellenic Coast Guard he was briefed upon its operational capabilities.

On Tuesday he visited the 98^th Supreme National Guard Battalions Command where he was briefed on the actions to tackle the migration flows as well as on the fire protection actions and provided related directions to the personnel.

On Monday morning he attended the Holy Liturgy at the Theotokos Dormition Holy Temple at Agiasos and met with the Metropolitan of Mytilene, Eressos and Plomari Iakovos, along whom he visited the Ecclesiastical Museum of the Holy Pilgrimage of the Theotokos of Agiasos.

During his stay at Lesvos the Deputy Minister of National Defence proceeded with the following visits –actions :

• He laid a wreath at the Monuments in honour of Air Force men 2^nd Lieutenant Spyridon Papaditsas and Lieutenant Colonel Stefanos Kourelias who died in the line of duty.

• He attended the 7^th International Music Festival of Molyvos on Freedom, in the context of the Celebrations for the 200 years since the outbreak of the Greek Revolution.

• He met with the Secretary General of Contemporary Culture Ms. Eleni Doundoulaki at the Cultural Centre and Library of Agiasos, with the participation of the President of the Library Mr. Kleanthis Koromilas and actor Christos Hatzipanagiotis. They discussed the matter of supporting the Library and renovating its theater.

The Deputy Minister of National Defence witnessed the excellent level of interoperability among all cooperating bodies on the protection of borders and deterrence, and he congratulated the personnel on their high morale and effectiveness.