The Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendias, made a statement regarding the government’s amendment for the monument to the Unknown Soldier. He specifically stated that President of the Republicrightly pointed out that the ideal way to consider how we want the monument to the Unknown Soldier to be, is to sterilize it from the current political situation, as a timeless symbol of the National Games.

“The Monument to the Unknown Soldier is a place intertwined with national memory. Monument paying respect to those who sacrificed themselves for the Fatherland and the Nation. A place of unity and harmony. It should not be used as a means of expressing political aspirations. It is an end in itself. After the Tempe tragedy, the space in front of the Monument became associated with society’s universal demand for justice. After all, the Prime Minister himself, with his presence at the site, practically showed his respect for the victims. The Monument to the Unknown Soldier unites Greeks now and forever. The Ministry of National Defense and the Armed Forces are not going to treat it as an object of political exercise and division of society. We will move in this direction.

Respect for the dead of the National Games and for History is a collective duty and responsibility of all of us».