On Monday, November 26, 2018, HNDGS Chief, Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis HN, paying a visit to Lebanon, after the official welcoming ceremony at the Ministry of National Defense, was received by the Minister of National Defense, Mr. Yaacoub Sarraf.

Subsequently, HNDGS Chief met with his counterpart, General Joseph Aoun. During the bilateral talks, the international security environment in the region of Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean were discussed, focusing on refugee/migratory flows. In addition, the existing bilateral military cooperation in the domains of operational/individual training and special forces, was brought up.

HNDGS Chief pointed out that:

  • The volatile current security environment requires the widest possible development of international military cooperation. In this context, Hellenic Armed Forces promote and carry out a broad net of defense cooperation with Balkan and MENA countries.
  • Keeping up the UNIFIL operation, is important for the regional peace and stability.
  • NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centrer (NMIOTC) and Multinational Peace Support Operations Training Center (MPSOTC) training programs could by further used by Lebanese Armed Forces.
  • The illegal activities in the Aegean and E. Mediterranean by Turkish armed forces units, are faced with calm and determination by Hellenic armed forces.

On Monday afternoon, HNDGS Chief visited the Beirut Naval Base, where he was briefed on the current operational activities.

On Tuesday, November 27, 2018, HNDGS Chief visited HS THEMISTOKLIS (UNIFIL participating unit), birthed in Beirut port and addressed to the crew. Afterwards, he visited UNIFIL HQs, in Naqoura, and met with Commander, Major General Stefano Del Col, where they discussed issues of mutual concern. HNDGS Chief stressed UNIFIL’s contribution to the regional security, pointing out the uninterrupted Hellenic Navy participation in the UNIFIL operation since 2007.

During his visits in Lebanon, HNDGS Chief was accompanied by the Ambassador of Greece in Lebanon, Mr. Franciscos Verros.