The Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, visited the headquarters of the XXI Armoured Brigade (XXI) in Komotini on Friday, 13 February 2026, accompanied by the Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis.

The visit was also attended by the Commander of the Supreme Military Command of Thrace (ASDITH), Lieutenant General Panagiotis Kavidopoulos. During his time at the Brigade, the Minister was briefed on its mission and activities, as well as on the training provided to its personnel.

In his address, the Minister stated:

“First of all, I would like to say that it is a great honour to be here today in Komotini, at the headquarters of the XXI Armoured Brigade, in a geographical area that marks not only the borders of Europe but also the eastern borders of our homeland.

Here in Thrace, the presence of the Armed Forces carries a particular significance — something we all understand.

I would also like to make special reference not only to our officers but to their families as well. For us, this is equally important. Ensuring the best possible living conditions for the families of our personnel, and recognising the vital support they provide — especially here in the border regions, in Thrace and in Komotini — is of paramount importance.

We are therefore implementing a housing program aimed at improving the quality of life of our personnel. Here in Thrace alone, 271 new homes are currently under construction. The program is ongoing nationwide: 10,500 new homes will be built and an additional 7,000 will be renovated. This constitutes the largest housing program in the history of modern Greece.

Alongside this, we are planning a broader package of social benefits, including the creation of day-care centers, support structures for assisted living for the elderly, and improvements in both the quality and affordability of goods available at military service facilities. Together, these initiatives form a comprehensive package designed to enhance the quality of life of the Military Family.

Returning to where I began, it is both a great pleasure and a great honour to be in Komotini today.

I was particularly pleased to meet my long-time friend and colleague, Euripides Stylianidis, with whom I have shared many years of cooperation and continue to do so.

I also had the opportunity to visit the ultra-modern hospital being built by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation — a significant asset for Greece and for Thrace — and to witness firsthand the strong spirit of the people of the region.

Thrace is of immense importance to Greece. I have said this before.

Here, we also demonstrate our multicultural character — our ability to coexist harmoniously with the Muslim community and to ensure for our Muslim fellow citizens an excellent standard of living — indeed, an exceptional one.

There is nothing more important than the standard of living guaranteed by the European Union for its citizens: a framework of full protection of human rights, the rule of law, the safeguarding of women’s rights, and the hope of a better future.”

Mr Dendias subsequently visited His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon of Maroneia and Komotini at the Diocese of the Holy Metropolis. The Member of Parliament for Rodopi, Euripides Stylianidis, was present at this meeting, as he was at the other meetings held during the visit.

He then met with the Regional Governor of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Christodoulos Topsidis. Their discussion focused on increasing the footprint of the Armed Forces in Thrace through the “Agenda 2030” reform, as well as on the region’s significant geopolitical importance, which has been further enhanced by the development of the port of Alexandroupolis.

The Minister of National Defence also met with representatives of the Rhodope Reserve Officers Association, with whom he discussed the major reforms to the reserve institutions under the “Agenda 2030” framework.

Within the framework of cooperation with the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) to provide expertise to Military Hospitals, the Minister visited the construction site of the new General Hospital of Komotini, which is being built through a donation from the Foundation. He was briefed on the project by Ambassador (ret.) Yannis Raptakis, member of the SNF Board of Directors.

Following the visit to the hospital construction site, the Minister stated:

“First of all, I would like to say that the design of the new hospital is truly impressive.

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Renzo Piano has, I dare say, created a masterpiece. Combined with the forest that will surround the hospital, it may well become a unique architectural landmark.

However, that is not the most important aspect. What matters most is that health services of the highest standard will be provided to the people of Komotini, of Thrace, and — I dare say — of our wider Balkan neighbourhood. This represents a tremendous opportunity and a substantial improvement in the quality of life for residents of the broader region.

I would therefore like to express the warm gratitude of Greek society as a whole — not only of the Government — to the Niarchos Foundation and to its President, Andreas Drakopoulos. I hope that we will all be here together for the inauguration of this hospital, alongside Euripides Stylianidis, and that many more such projects will be realised in Greece in the future.”