Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias Attends Events for 105th Anniversary of the Liberation of Xanthi

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Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias Attends Events for 105th Anniversary of the Liberation of Xanthi

October 4, 2024

On Friday, 4 October 2024, the Minister of National DefenceMr.Nikos Dendias, visited Xanthi, representing the Government in the festivities for the 105^thanniversary of the Liberation of the city.

At the Memorial of Xanthi, the Minister attended the memorial service and laid a wreath.

Next, he attended the military and student parade, in which cultural and volunteer organisations also participated, as well as associations.

The parade was attended by MPs for Xanthi Spyridon Tsiligiris and Burhan Baran, His Grace the Bishop of Amorio Nikiforos, representing the Metropolitan of Xanthi and Peritheorio Panteleimon, the Head of the Region of Eastern Macedonia-Thrace Christodoulos Topsidis, and the Mayor of Xanthi Efstratios Kontos.

The Commanding General of the Hellenic First Army/EU-QHQ "Achilleas", Lieutenant General Dimokritos Konstantakos, the Commanding General of D Army Corps, Lieutenant General Stavros Papastathopoulos, representatives of Parties, the Security Forces, other local government authorities, industry representatives, and civilians also attended.

Upon conclusion of the events and the military parade, the Minister of National Defence stated:

"I would like to express my great joy and honour to be here today in Xanthi for the anniversary of the Liberation of the city in 1919.

I always say that anniversaries have meaning not only because we remember the past and express our gratitude to our ancestors, who assured the freedom and the independence of our Country, but also because they set standards which we must follow to secure our independence and freedom now and in the future.

When I am here in Thrace, the end point to the East of both Hellenism and Europe, all these words have a completely different meaning.

I would also like to say that especially during the past few years the strategic importance of Thrace has become evident to everyone, outside Greece as well. It is a focal point among the Eastern Mediterranean, the Aegean, Central and Eastern Europe; a clear communication channel; a region necessary for the interests of not only Greece, but of the European Union as well, and allow me to say, in a broad sense, also of the West World.

So, I am glad when I see the local community to actively participate in the national anniversaries; and the young children, the young people, those whom we rely upon for tomorrow, march with pride and glory with the flag of our Country.

I would also like to make special reference to the Muslim minority and say that it is an integral part of the Greek character of Thrace. This is how we see them; this is how we deal with them.

I am certain that Thrace will thrive even more and we will see that soon and not far into the future it will play an essential focal role for Greece and Europe as well.

Happy anniversary, be well.

Thank you".

The visit of Mr. Dendias in Xanthi was concluded with a visit to the Church of the Divine Wisdom.