The Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikos Dendias, visited on Tuesday 3 September 2024 the area of responsibility of the XII Mechanized Infantry Division, accompanied by the Chief HNDGS Lieutenant General Dimitrios Choupis and the Chief HAGS Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis.

The Minister visited “Kandilaptis” camp, where he was informed about the operation of the Simulators Centre. At the modern Simulators Centre facilities, training is provided on cutting-edge issues with regard to the operation and the tactics that Armored Vehicle crews are required to follow during operational activities.

After his visit, Mr. Dendias made the following statement:

“It is a great pleasure for me today to visit Evros and Alexandroupolis once again.

I would like to say in general that the defence strengthening of Evros, the defence strengthening of Thrace is not just a constitutional obligation, but a top political priority for the Government.

Apart from this, here at the Armored Simulators Centre, we get in touch with the 21^st century in the Armed Forces of our Country. A big part of the effort made is subject to the “Agenda 2030”. In other words, to a plan of action for modern and powerful Armed Forces. As the Prime Minister has said, the most powerful Armed Forces in the history of Hellenism.

However, to accomplish this, modern tools should be used. Tools of the 21^st century. And the tank simulators make it possible for our excellent staff, of which we are proud, to be trained on an ongoing basis with measurable results throughout its service at the Armed Forces. In my opinion, these tools are very useful.

I have had the opportunity to see for myself and actually, use these simulators that offer so much, and also save so much. The exercises being held here cost a few hundreds or thousands of euro. If these exercises were conducted in the field, hundreds of thousands of euro would not be enough. And the short supplies of Greek taxpayers is also an absolute priority”.

The visit was made in the presence also of the Commander of the 1^st Army Lieutenant General Dimokritos Konstantakos, the Commander of the 4^th Army Corps Lieutenant General Stavros Papastathopoulos, as well as of the Commander of the XII Mechanized Infantry Division “Evros” Major General Ioannis Korres.

Before that, the Minister of National Defence attended the Service at the Cathedral of Agios Nikolaos in Alexandroupolis on the occasion of the celebration of His Eminence Metropolitan Anthimos’ nameday, to whom Mr. Dendias offered his sincere wishes during their meeting at the Episcopacy. The Service was also attended by the Regional Governor of Eastern Macedonia – Thrace Christodoulos Topsidis, the MPs for Evros Region Christos Dermentzopoulos, Stavros Keletsis and Anastasios Dimoschakis.

After his visit at the Simulators Centre, Mr. Dendias went to Samothrace where he visited the headquarters of the Tactical Command of the 41^st Infantry Regiment “Saranta Ekklisies” and the Samothrace Naval Station, accompanied by the Chief HNDGS and the Chief HAGS, in the presence also of Messrs. Topsidis and Dermentzopoulos.

In his address to the members of the Tactical Command of the 41^st Infantry Regiment, Mr. Dendias noted:

“It is a great pleasure and honour for me to be here today in Samothrace at the 41^st Infantry Regiment. A Regiment with a long history; a history of over a hundred years.

I believe that the importance of Samothrace is obvious. One just has to take a look at the map and recall that the islet rock of Zourafa is under the oversight of the Regiment. There are hundreds of Turkish announcements referring to Zourafa. This highlights the huge importance of the location where we are today.

Moreover, Samothrace has a proud history since ancient times. One of the most beautiful ancient sculptures was found here, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, that is currently housed in the Louvre, but whose idea always governs this place.

And I am proud that the military presence here contributes to the maintenance of national independence, the safeguarding of our sovereignty and our sovereign rights in the Northern Aegean Sea. A particularly sensitive national region.

Our country always abides by the International Law, the Law of the Sea the UN Charter. Our country defends and promotes its rights; rights provided for in the applicable International Law and the International Law of the Sea and are not a neo-Ottoman expansionism fantasy.

Therefore, the country will continue to defend its sovereignty and its sovereign rights, always extending the hand of friendship to others, but also absolutely willing to safeguard its rights on accordance with the Constitution”.

During his stay in Samothrace, the Minister had a meeting with the Mayor, Athanasios K. Vitsas.

Mr. Dendias’ visit was completed with his return to Alexandroupolis and his visit to Aenisio Delta, to the Western Evros Delta and the Neraidotopos area of Evros river.