ENGLISH SECTION
15/01/2025 | 20:55
Greek army engineers build 3 Bailey Bridges in Armenia after flood damage; EU mechanism
The Greek Armed Forces are building three Bailey Bridges in north Armenia’s Lori region after damage by flooding, the National Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday.
The portable and temporary truss bridges are being set in place by the Construction and Disaster Management Command (DIKAFKA) of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff after flooding in May 2024. The eight-member engineering team is headed by DIKAFKA chief, Lt. Gen. Michail Klouvas, in collaboration with the Greek Foreign Affairs Ministry.
A request had been filed by Armenia through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, and was followed up by a meeting between National Defense Minister Nikos Dendias with his Armenian counterpart, Suren Papikyan in Washington, on December 4, 2024.
One of the bridges built used material from a 200-meter Bailey Bridge dismantled from the Sindos area in the greater Thessaloniki region in 1990 that was replaced by a permanent one.
Two of three bridges have been built – at the village of Karkop (Debed River) and at the village of Hobardzi (Gargar River) – whle the last one is being built is at the village of Aymur (also on Debed), a short distance from Karkop.
Beyond the humanitarian assistance and the help to the friendly people of Armenia, the mission also comprises a collaboration in the context of Civil Protection during a time when climate crisis is becoming more prevalent, the Defense Ministry statement said.
It should be noted that Greek communities have existed in the Lori region since the 19th century, especially in the town of Alaverdi, the seat of the Greek community.
Source: ANA – MPA
