Greece’s President, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, marked the 48th anniversary since the restoration of democracy on Sunday by laying a wreath at the bust of Spyros Moustaklis – a resistance fighter who opposed the 1967-1974 military junta.
The President was attending an event to honour the heroes of the struggle against the dictatorship at the former EAT-ESA jail.
She was received by Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis and the President of the Junta Resistance Fighters’ Association, Evangelos Giougkis.
After the wreath laying ceremony, Sakellaropoulou attended an official reception held in the garden of the Presidential Mansion in Athens.
In a speech during the event, the Greek President thanked the resistance fighters for their heroic actions against the military junta.
“We are grateful to the fighters against the dictatorship, to those who risked their lives for the freedom of all of us…” she said.
“The honour given to them has not only historical value, but also a pedagogical function: it reminds us that the defence of democracy is permanent and is our highest duty.”
Sakellaropoulou also touched on the Cyprus issue and how the democracy anniversary reminds Greece and its people that Cyprus remains divided after the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island.
“The solution of the Cyprus issue, based on the decisions of the United Nations Security Council and the European acquis, is our absolute priority,” the President added.
“Greece and Cyprus remain steadfastly committed to the reunification of the island and the removal of the occupying forces.”
Source: AMNA.gr.
