The Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendiasrepresented the Prime Minister today, Wednesday, October 18 Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the Government, in the celebration events, in Agios Efstratios, of the 111th Anniversary of his Liberation.
Mr. Dendias attended the Doxology at the Holy Church of the Nativity of Christ, which was performed by His Eminence Archimandrite Kirillos, as a representative of His Eminence the Metropolitan of Limnos and Agios Efstratiou, Mr. Ierotheou.
This was followed by a memorial service at the Memorial of Fallen Saints and the wreath-laying ceremony, after which the Minister of National Defense said in his speech:
“I feel great honor and great joy, to participate today in the celebration of the Anniversary of the Liberation of Agios Efstratios.
Agios Efstratios is celebrating 111 years since he threw off the yoke, which kept him away from the national trunk.
The National Fleet and the military virtue of the Greeks during the Balkan Wars freed the island from the Ottomans. They incorporated it into the reborn Greek State.
The liberation of the Aegean islands is one of the glorious pages of modern Greek history, the history of the Navy, the history of the country’s Armed Forces and was an important step on the way to our national integration.
We step back and look at events, not just out of formal duty, but because looking back at the past helps create inspiration for tomorrow. It helps to borrow value codes, it helps to imitate behaviors, because today, in a complex age, the national duty is expanding. And above all, we must consolidate our national solidarity and national unity.
And this observation is important, when it is made here, on Agios Efstratios, an island that has a special special weight and where the Museum of Democracy is located.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We live in an era where geopolitical uncertainty and realignments are evolving with incredible speed.
We, our country, relying on our Armed Forces and our reliable foreign policy, have gained a presence on the international political stage. We are a pillar of security, stability and peace in a wider troubled region. The islands of our Archipelago mark not only our own national Greek borders, but also the European borders.
For us Greeks, they are the core that beats the heart of our country.
And I would like to take this opportunity to restate the timeless and absolute commitment of every Government of the Hellenic Republic to the defense of the sovereignty, the sovereign rights, in accordance with International Law and the International Law of the Sea, of the islands of our Homeland.
I would like to restate the absolute constitutional obligation to defend the last rock and the last rock island of our homeland.
Greece, ladies and gentlemen, has no intention, and there is no constitutional provision, to become a country of limited sovereignty.
It maintains, like every country on the planet, the self-evident right of defense against any ploy. It retains the right to defend every part of its national territory.
Our country remains a country committed to the principles of Law, to the principles of International Law, to the principles of the Law of the Sea, to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, which categorically prohibits not only the use of force, but also the threat of its use violence. The rules and rights contained in the Charter of the United Nations, in International Law, in the International Law of the Sea, must form the framework of any rational discussion between states.
Restating my great emotion to be here today, thank you very much for listening to me.”
The events concluded with the parade of primary and secondary school students and Ulama of 88 SDI.
The Minister of National Defense during the events was accompanied by the Commander of ASDEN Lt. Gen. Sotirio Kostakoglou and the Chief of Staff GEA Lieutenant General (I) Ioannis Birbilis.
The Commander of 88 SDI Brigadier General was also present Ioannis Corresthe Commander of the 130 BC Squadron (I) Thomas Papadimitriouthe Mayor of Agios EfstratiouMaria Kakalithe Commander of the Limnos Police Department Police Officer A’ Socrates Kromidellisthe Vice-Captain of Myrina Limnos Georgios Karapapazoglou and representatives of local authorities and associations.
Subsequently, the Minister of National Defense was guided to the Museum of Democracy of Agios Efstratios, where he was informed about the history of the site, the establishment of the Museum and its operation.
Finally, Mr. Dendias went to the Monument of Lieutenant Commander (I) Nikolaos Sialmas where he laid a wreath.
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