“Anniversaries are always meaningful not only because we remember the past and express our gratitude to our ancestors, who ensured the freedom and independence of our country, but they are meaningful because they create standards that we must follow to ensure our independence and our freedom in the present and in the future” said the Minister of National Defense.
“In the last few years, it has become clear to everyone, even outside of Greece, how strategic the importance of Thrace is. It is a hub between the Eastern Mediterranean, the Aegean, Central and Eastern Europe. A very clear communication channel. A region necessary for the interests not only of Greece, but also of the European Union, and, you will allow me to say more broadly, of the Western World as well” he pointed out.
He made special reference to the Muslim minority underlining “that it is an integral part of the Greekness of Thrace. This is how we see them, this is how we deal with them” he said.
“I am sure that Thrace will flourish even more and we will see it in the short and not the distant future, playing a key role for Greece and for Europe” he added.
In the Hero of Xanthi, the minister attended the memorial service and laid a wreath, and then attended the military and student parade, in which cultural and voluntary organizations, as well as clubs, also participated.
The MPs of Xanthi Spyridon Tsilingiris and Burhan Baran, the Most Reverend Bishop Amoriou Nikiforos as the representative of the Metropolitan of Xanthi and Peritherio Panteleimonos, the regional governor of Eastern Macedonia-Thrace Christodoulos Topsidis and the mayor of Xanthi Efstratios Kontos attended.
Also present were the commander of the 1st Army “Achilles” Lt. Gen. Dimokritos Konstantakos, the commander of the 4th Army Corps Lt. Gen. Stavros Papastathopoulos, representatives of parties, the Security Forces, other bodies of the Self-Government, productive bodies and citizens.
Mr. Dendias’ visit to Xanthi concluded with a visit to the Cathedral of God Sophia.
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