On Monday 30 March 2020 the Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos visited the Surveillance Outposts and the borders at the Evros region, with a view to inspect the security measures and talk with the members of the Armed Forces and Security Forces operating in the area.
The Minister of National Defence, the Minister of Citizen Protection Mr. Michalis Crysochoides and the HNDGS Chief General Konstantinos Floros, travelled to the Surveillance Outpost of Kastanies where they had a comprehensive briefing on the situation and the observance of the increased surveillance measures.
From the Surveillance Outpost of Kastanies the Minister delivered the following address:
“Once again we are here at the Kastanies Outpost aiming at reassessing the whole situation following the recent developments and the dismantling of the refugee camp at Turkish soil and the evacuation of the immigrants. We also had the opportunity to talk with the leadership of the Armed Forces and the Hellenic Police at local level, with the people who conducted the mission, guarded the borders, achieved at rendering the borders impenetrable when the element of surprise was attempted during the Ash Monday Bank Holiday and, of course, we managed to plan the way ahead.
What we want to stress is that the alert is still on. The forces remain alert and are adjusting so that, if that be the case, they will be even more ready, prepared and equipped.
We also discussed all the hygiene prevention measures taken to prevent the coronavirus spread, i.e. to make sure that all members serving here are protected and take all precautions, and at this point I shouldn’t omit to congratulate the members of the Armed Forces and the Hellenic Police who are fighting this battle and continue to do so. They are the restless guards of the city walls and are to be praised for accomplishing their mission. The mission is still on, the effort to render impenetrable borders is constant, and we owe to assist them in this undertaking”.
Then the Minister of Citizen Protection delivered the following address:
“Today me and my colleague Mr. Panagiotopoulos visited the Evros region because we remain alert at all levels, we continue this effort along with Armed Forces, the Hellenic Police, and Frontex, aiming to reinforce the security of our borders, the borders of Greece and Europe simultaneously.
I want to congratulate everybody. First, the members of the Armed Forces who have delivered a great outcome as far as infrastructures are concerned, which will render secure borders; also the members of the Hellenic Police who are present in this battle, the members of Frontex and other European countries, the members of foreign police forces who keep guarding the European borders and simultaneously the European values, the values of Civilisation and solidarity.
The solidarity heart of Europe beats exactly at this place. This is a solidarity token worth mentioning of. I highlight the fact that we will continue the effort to build the border fence where it is necessary, to render the borders even more impregnable.
Additionally, these days the Greeks are building another wall, the wall to fend off the pandemic! We are quite successful in this. We want to congratulate all Greeks for showing patience and temperance, for isolating and staying at home. This sort of compliance and self-limitation also demonstrate the underlying personal and collective values of the Greek society, the values of solidarity. I believe that the wall we are raising to fend off the pandemic will help us be victorious in the end”.
Following the conclusion of the inspection at the Kastanies Surveillance Outpost the Minister of National Defence and the HNDGS Chief visited the Outposts of Pythio and Petalo.
