Greece is marching with a clear strategy. We honor the past, but our obligation is to plan the future.

This was emphasized by the Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendias, who today attended Saturday, as a spokesman for Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, at the festivities in Xanthi for the 106th anniversary of the city’s liberation.

He explained that Xanthi “for the Armed Forces has a special meaning”. “It is,” he said, “the seat of the recently founded Thrace Military Administration, in the context of the new advanced structure of forces. But the institutional name mainly highlights the strategic role of this area in the deterrent architecture of the Armed Forces of our Homeland. “

“On October 4, 1919, the Greek army sealed with its presence the end of a long period of slavery and oppression. It was an important moment when the anticipation of centuries of freedom has turned into historical reality. And this justification was not born of the circumstances, but was based on the historical strength of the people of Thrace, who kept his language, identity, faith alive, “he said.

“The identities of New Greece are well known: Homeland – Language – Traditions – Religion – Family. Thrace remains today in the 21st century, a crossroads of cultures, a bridge between Europe and the wider East. A fort for our homeland, a pillar for our national continuity, a place that was tested, kept its identity intact. But Thrace has something extra that is of particular interest, ”he added.

“Here in Thrace, the Muslim minority is an integral part of the identity of this area. And the very presence itself, not to say the acne of the Muslim minority, highlights the power of Hellenism that can progress with cosmopolitanism, as is its tradition within thousands of years of its history, with respect, equity, social cohesion. And this message is very important in times of geopolitical tensions, international rearrangements, “Mr Dendias analyzed.

Speaking about the Ministry of National Defense and the Government, he stressed that with “Agenda 2030” as a roadmap, with the new structure of forces, with reforms, with the introduction of cutting -edge technologies, with the strengthening of our deterrent power, “we build the most prominent Greek,

“In the times we live in, innovation is a fundamental component of our strategic course. It is a necessary factor for our survival, ”he added.

“In a few days, in the big parade of October 28, the Greek people will see the first footprint of their armed forces in the new era,” the Minister of National Defense said.

“And in this direction is the new bill for the Armed Forces, which I presented a few days ago at the Council of Ministers and we will discuss it in the next few days in the Greek Parliament. A coherent framework, a large, deep cut, change, a historical reform, because it touches all aspects: payroll, rating, career, term, reserve, tanning of the military schools of the Officers, Volunteer Women’s Menation. It is the crown of the effort of all of us, to make the army worthy of the history and sacrifices of our ancestors who have allowed us to be here today, ”said Mr. Dendias.

“It is proven by our presence here that the sacrifices of our ancestors have not been in vain. Freedom is not just about the memory of a historical important yesterday, it concerns the hope of a better tomorrow, but for which we have to fight every day, to establish it with consistency, determination, disposition for innovation and changes where necessary. “

“This is the collective horizon of Hellenism. This is our historical debt, debt in Thrace, Greece, debt to our ancestors, ”he concluded.

Mr. Dendias, accompanied by Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General George Kostidis, attended the doxology at the Metropolitan Church of the Holy Baptist, in which the Metropolitan of Xanthi and Panteleimon danced.
He then went to the hero of Xanthi, where a memorial service was held and deposited Stefanos.

Subsequently, the Minister of National Defense attended the military and student parade, which also included cultural and voluntary organizations, as well as associations.

Also attended by party chairman Niki Dimitris Natsios, President of the Republic Movement Stefanos Kasselakis, MPs Spyridon Tsiligiris, Hussein Zeibek, Burhan Baran, Michael Hourdakis

The Metropolitan of Maronia and Komotini Panteleimon were still present, His Eminence Metropolitan of Samos and Ikaria Eusebius, the Theophilist Bishop of Polystylos Sophronios, the Archbishop of the Holy Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolitan Secretary of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia Thrace Dimitrios Galamatis, the Director of the Department of Political Affairs of Xanthi (of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Embassy of the First Stavroula Pentarvani, the Commander of the Supreme Military Administration Fotios Maris, the Vice -Mayor of Xanthi of the Regional Unit of Eastern Macedonia – Thrace Polyxeni Brika, the President of the Armenian Community of Xanthi Takvor Karaoglanian, the representatives Reserve