The Minister of National Defence Mr Nikos Dendias conducted today, Tuesday 2 September 2025, a visit to the former “Chieftain Theodoros Ziakas” Camp, at the Municipality of Kordelio – Evosmos in Thessaloniki.

During his visit, the Minister of National Defence inspected the grounds of the former camp, which is located next to the Athens – Thessaloniki railroad line.

The camp, 130 decares of land, remains inactive since 2006.

The Minister was accompanied by the Chief of HAGS Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Commanding General of C’ Army Corps/NRDC-GR Lieutenant General Athanasios Garinis, the Commanding General of the Service Support Division Major General Nikolaos Gallios and His Eminence the Metropolitan Bishop of Neapoli and Stavroupoli Mr Varnavas.

After the end of the visit, the Minister of National Defence made the following statement:

“As I have said repeatedly, a major priority – not to say the first priority of “Agenda 2030” – is to secure better salaries and better living conditions for the personnel of our Homeland’s Armed Forces.

To be able to secure residencies for our personnel, we are already executing an immense Housing Project, 1.059 residencies, which will be completed very soon, in the summer of 2026, in less than 12 months from today.

We are here in Thessaloniki, at the “Ziakas” Camp, a very large piece of land, almost 130 decares, where we aspire to also realise a significant Housing Project for the building of more than 600 residencies.

We are not simply talking about the building of more than 600 residencies, but for the creation of a housing model complex. A small town which will upgrade the wider area, apart from providing a solution to the housing problems of the Armed Forces personnel and of a part of the Greek society.

I would like, Your Eminence, to warmly thank you for your presence, but also for your support to this endeavour commencing today with our brief visit to the site.

Also, I would like to thank the Chief of the Army and the Commanding General of C’ Army Corps for their presence and assistance, which they will provide in the execution of one more aspiring effort in this large Housing Project.

Thank you very much”.

Following that, Mr Dendias went to the premises of the Holy Metropolis of Neapoli and Stavroupoli, where he briefly discussed with His Eminence Mr Varnavas, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Giorgos Kotsiras.