The Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis visited yesterday, Tuesday 13 October 2026, the headquarters of the 98th Higher National Guard Battalions Command “ARCHIPELAGO” in Lesvos, at the area of responsibility of the Supreme Military Command of the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
The Deputy Minister was received by the Commanding General of the 98th Higher National Guard Battalions Command, Major General Stavros Michalis. Mr. Davakis participated in a meeting with the personnel of the Military Veterinarian Service serving on the island in the operational framework for the management of Foot-and-Mouth disease, where he was informed about the successful completion of the first tracking cycle of all livestock in Lesvos, as well as the next phase of operational planning, which began on Monday 12 October 2026.
Mr. Davakis thanked and congratulated the Commanding General of the 98th Higher National Guard Battalions Command, Major General Stavros Michalis, the Deputy Commanding General and Coordinator of the operation, Brigadier General Stavros Palatidis, as well as the military veterinarians of the Lesbos Veterinary Support Group for their excellent results, while also expressing his certainty that the civilian authorities will manage to restore normality on the island through the contribution and coordination of the Armed Forces.
Mentioning the recent decision to increase the special allowance received by military veterinarians seconded across the country for the purpose of facing epizootic diseases, by 20%, with retroactive effect from 1 September, he stated that it is an actual recognition of the significant work of the Military Veterinary Service personnel during the previous months and their support to society and Greek livestock farmers.
In the framework of his visit to Mytilini, Mr. Davakis met with the Head of the Region of North Aegean, prof. Konstantinos Moutzouris, at the Region’s offices, where a meeting was held among the Region’s members and staff officers of the Armed Forces. The focus was on matters of mutual interest, mainly the common medical intervention and the instrumental contribution of the Hellenic Army in halting and facing the Foot-and-Mouth disease, which has affected the island. The meeting was attended by MP Charalambos Athanasiou, the Deputy Heads of Region Kostas Aronis, Evstratios Kyratzis, and Chrysostomos Hatzikyriazis, as well as the Commanding General of the 98th Higher National Guard Battalions Command, Major General Stavros Michalis.
On the occasion of his visits, the Deputy Minister of National Defence made the following statement:
“For the past eight months, the personnel of the Military Veterinary Service are fighting against epizootic diseases across Greece, supporting Greek livestock farmers, their families, and the primary production of the country.
Particularly here in Lesvos, where the Armed Forces have undertaken the operational coordination of all public institutions and organisations, the personnel of the 98th Higher National Guard Battalions Command and our military veterinarians constituting the Lesbos Veterinary Support Group are fighting to face the Foot-and-Mouth disease, yielding excellent and immediate results.
I would like to thank them. However, the State’s care for them is not limited to words. Yesterday, the Joint Ministerial Decision for the retroactive increase from 1 September of the special allowance received by our military veterinarians operating against epizootic diseases across the country was promulgated in the Government Gazette. It is the State’s actual recognition of their effort and contribution to our society.
Within the framework of my visit, I met with the Head of the Region of North Aegean, Konstantinos Moutzouris, as well as members of the Region. We had an exceptionally constructive discussion regarding the manner our cooperation will continue and the next steps in facing the disease affecting the island. I would like to thank them deeply for their cooperation”.
