On the third day of his tour (as of Saturday, 17 December 2022) of Armed Forces Formations, Groups, Units and Outposts, which fall under the area of responsibility of the Higher Military Command of Interior and Islands, to meet with members and conscripts, the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikolaos Hardalias, visited the Eastern Aegean borderline islands of Agathonissi, Patmos, Ikaria, Samos, Oinousses and Psara, along with the following:

– The Island Defence Force Camp and Aghios Kirikos National Guard Battalion in Ikaria.

– The National Guard Battalion in Patmos.

– The Surveillance Outposts of “PSILI AMMOS” in Samos, of “AGATHONISSI”, “OINOUSSES” and “PSARA” located on the respective islands.

In the context of his visit, Mr. Hardalias, was briefed by the Commanding Officers on the current activities of the Ikaria Island Defence Force Camp, Units and Outposts. He met with members and
conscripts, and congratulated them on their eagerness in performing their duties and successfully fulfilling their mission, which consists in defending highly significant Greek borderline islands and islets of the Eastern Aegean against any revisionist stance and action, by facing any difficult and demanding situation arising of the continuously changing regional and international developments in the international environment in a decisive, robust, and committed manner. Furthermore, on the occasion of the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays, he wished the members, conscripts and members of the National Guard health, courage, goal achievement, personal, professional and family success.

Additionally, the Deputy Minister of National Defence met with the Provincial Governor of Ikaria, Mr. Panagiotis Genouzos, the Mayor of Agathonissi, Mr. Evaggelos Kottoros, of Patmos, Mr. Eleftherios Pentes, of Ikaria, Mr. Nikolaos Kalaboyias, of Oinousses, Mr. Georgios Daniil, and of the heroic island of Psara, Mr. Konstantinos Vratsanos, as well as with the Agathonissi Police and Fire Brigade Stations Commanders.

The Deputy Minister of National Defence was accompanied by the Commander of the Higher Military Command of Interior and Islands, Lieutenant General Dimitrios Houpis, and he was welcomed by the Commander of 79 Higher National Guard Battalions Command, Brigadier General Nikos Labidonis and 96 Higher National Guard Battalions Command, Brigadier General Emmanouil Hatzis, the Deputy Commander of Ikaria Island Defence Force Camp, Lieutenant Colonel Vasileios Giannakas, the Commander of Patmos National Guard Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel, Haralambos Venetikidis and of Aghios Kirikos National Guard Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Efstratios Papadimitriou, and the Surveillance Outposts Sergeants of the Guard.