MMAD mission returns from Evros

The operational mission of the Cypriot Police to Evros has been successfully completed. The Cypriot mission, which consisted of 21 members of the Emergency Response Mobilized Unit (MMAD), returned to Cyprus on Friday, April 3, after completing its special task of assisting to the safeguarding of the Greek border in Evros.

The mission of the Cypriot Police traveled to Evros on March 8, 2020, in order to assist the Greek Authorities in tackling the uncontrolled migration flows in the Greek-Turkish borders and therefore in Europe.

The Cypriot mission was warmly welcomed by the Greek Authorities, while the cooperation with the Greek Police and the Armed Forces was excellent. MMAD members were assigned guarding tasks at vulnerable points along the Greek-Turkish border, from which illegal migrants could enter.

Throughout the Cypriot mission’s stay in Evros, there was constant contact with the leadership of the Cyprus Police regarding the performance of their duties as well as the protective measures taken to protect the members of the mission.

Upon their return, all 21 members of the Cyprus mission received a warm welcome from the Chief of Police, Mr. Kipros Michaelides, who welcomed them upon their arrival at Larnaca Airport.

In a brief address, the Chief of Police expressed his gratitude to the mission members for their contribution to Greece’s efforts in safeguarding its borders. “I only regret that emergency conditions for preventive restrictive measures will necessarily keep you away from your families for another 14 days,” Mr.Michaelides said, since the members of the mission were put on a 14-day quarantine applying the orders and protocols for the protection against the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus.

The Chief of Police also said that “the Police these days, together with its members, demonstrates its ability to respond to any task assigned by the State, regardless of the difficulties and complexity of the problems the force is called upon to handle. So I want to thank all of our members who, in these difficult hours, are at the forefront for preventing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.”