The celebrations of the 109th Anniversary of the Freedoms of Florina were attended today by the Deputy Minister of Interior, in charge of Macedonia and Thrace, Mr. Stavros Kalafatis, as a Representative of the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
After the Official Doxology that was performed in the Holy Temple of Agios Georgios, officiated by His Eminence the Metropolitan of Florina, Prespa and Eordaia, etc. Theoklitou, followed by a memorial prayer at the monument of Georgios Modis Square and the laying of wreaths.
In his greeting, Mr. Kalafatis stressed:
“Macedonian women and men
This year, as 200 years have passed since the National Uprising, we honor all those who surpassed themselves in building and handing over the Greek state to us.
We honor these days and the Balkan struggles that added to the free national body our hitherto enslaved lands.
We honor the preparation and the decision of the leadership, the bravery of the Greek Army, but also the coexistence of the nation in that struggle. We honor the mobilization and enthusiasm that developed by bringing volunteers from America and Canada to the ranks of the Greek Army, as well as 2000 of our Greek brothers from Cyprus.
We honor the pages written by the Greek army since the beginning of the struggle on October 6, 1912. His course from Sarandaporo to Serbia, Kozani, Veria, Naoussa, Katerini, Giannitsa, Thessaloniki. And then on November 8 here in Florina. A brilliant day for the city and beyond. A day that inspires and teaches.
Macedonians,
We Greeks seek peace and cooperation with all the peoples of our neighborhood. It is enough that they want the same. It is enough for their leaders to abandon pirate practices and usurping perceptions to the detriment of our rights and entitlements. It is enough to show respect for the principles of good neighborliness, international law, the law of the sea and international treaties.
To those who think differently, to those who plot our sovereignty and sovereign rights, to those who foolishly make threats, the answer was given by the Prime Minister and it is clearly repeated: We will do whatever is necessary, where necessary, in any way necessary to protect our internationally guaranteed rights. We are not threatened by threats and they do not bend us with their cries. We do not retreat and we do not concede a shred of land, sea, our national airspace. We do not take a step back from the clear red lines we have drawn on our national issues.
With acts of responsibility and insight, with prudence and courage, with political diplomatic, but also military means, we upgrade the deterrent capacity of our country. We are strengthening our Armed Forces with state-of-the-art aircraft and frigates. We have already made the positions of Greece and Cyprus, positions of the European Union. We are upgrading our cooperation with Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates. We have established a strategic relationship with France, with an assistance clause in the event of an outside attack. We expanded the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement with the USA.
Greece today is a proud country, with national confidence. A country that is taught from the past and moves on to tomorrow with sure and solid steps. A Homeland that we want to serve with all our strength.
Happy birthday to all and everyone “.
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