Today, Thursday 16 April 2026, the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias, visited Pristina.

At the beginning of the visit, Mr. Dendias had a working breakfast with the Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti.

The Minister of National Defence, accompanied by HNDGS Chief General Dimitrios Choupis and HAGS Chief Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, visited the facilities of the Hellenic Contingent in Kosovo, where he was received by its Commander Major General Ozkan Ulutas and Senior Officers. During the reception they highlighted the exceptional contribution of the Hellenic Contingent in Kosovo (ELDYKO) to the mission and work of KFOR.

Following the meeting with the KFOR Commander, Mr. Dendias went to the assembly area of ELDYKO where he was received by its Commander Major (INF) Serafeim Koutsoblias.

Mr. Minister, along HNDGS and HAGS Chiefs, was guided around the ELDYKO facilities and was briefed by the Higher National Representative to KFOR Lieutenant Colonel Spyridon Mamakos on the mission and the activities of ELDYKO, and exchanged Easter greetings with the personnel.

The visit was also attended by the Head of the Liaison Office to Pristina, Ambassador Eleni Bakali.

Addressing the personnel of ELDYKO, the Minister of National Defence stated the following:

“It is a great pleasure for me to be here today. Initially I would like to reiterate, in the spirit of Easter “Christ is Risen”. It is very important to us all the fact that only a few days ago we celebrated the Rising of the Lord. However, I am not here today to solely exchange greetings. I have chosen to be here on this day, firstly to exchange greetings and secondly to highlight the huge importance of our presence here in Kosovo, in the Western Balkans.

As you know, our country for decades now has been supporting the so called “Thessaloniki Agenda” which means the accession of Western Balkans to the European Union, the European family. This is a diplomatic objective supported by our country irrespective of governments, parties and ministers. We believe that stability and peace in the Balkans prerequisites the accession of Western Balkans countries to the European Union.

All of you are doing here something even more exceptional. You provide with your presence here security peace and stability, all of which are absolutely necessary. The “Thessaloniki Agenda” would be pointless without this.

Consequently, I would like to thank you for the work you accomplish, for projecting the Hellenic flag at this key position, in the context of KFOR, in the context of NATO and for the fact that you keep reminding to all that security is not an abstract concept, but a specific mission. For reminding that peace is not secured only with declarations, but with professionalism, seriousness and a reliable presence on the ground.

I would like to wholeheartedly thank you for your service here, and to ask you to keep on with the same devotion, discipline, and faith in your mission. I mean, with the same faith in our flag. Keep promoting the values of the Hellenic Armed Forces, keep promoting the values of our Homeland in the context of International Law, in the context of the principles of the United Nations Charter, which we defend as a country and as members of the European family.

Once again let me reiterate “Christ is Risen”! All the best to you and your families!”