The Alternate Minister of National Defence, Panagiotis Rigas, represented the Government on Sunday, October 28th 2018, in the festivities for the Anniversary of the 28th day of October that were held in Larissa. On Monday, he will visit units and formations that are based in the city.

In his statement to journalists, after the end of the parade, he referred to the following:

“The battles and the resistance of the Greek people form an important part of our country’s history. That is what leads us; it enables us not to forget, mainly because the fight against fascism and Nazism is a fight that needs to be continued. Our history provides us with lessons in dignity, in the battles we have fought for freedom and justice.

The year that we are currently living through has been the first year after eight particularly difficult years for the Greek people. We are now able to face the future with optimism. I believe that it will be a year in which Greek people’s efforts, anxieties and struggles may and will begin to be vindicated. We are now into the first period after our country’s release from the memorandum whirlwind and the reduced degrees of democracy as a result of the memoranda sustained”.

Regarding Turkey’s provocativeness:

“The day that we are commemorating today needs calmness, composure and lucidity. Greece, the Greek Government and the Armed Forces deal with matters in exactly that way. Our Armed Forces have a deterrent power; we – as the political leadership – adopt a peaceful policy. There is no story here. Calmness and dignity then. Moreover, we are sending a message: that people may co-exist only through peaceful means. Through peace and social justice.”