On Tuesday, 18 October 2022, the Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos attended the festivities which took place in Thasos on the occasion of 110 years since the island’s Liberation.
The Minister of National Defence attended the Doxology at the Church of Saint Nikolaos at Thasos Harbour, where the panegyric was delivered. Then, he attended the Memorial Service, the parade, and laid a wreath at the War Memorial for the Fallen.
The festivities were attended by the U.S. Ambassador Mr. George Tsounis, as well as MPs, representatives of the Regional and Local Government, and representatives of community organisations.
Upon conclusion of the parade, the Minister of National Defence made the following statement:
“I would like to express my pleasure for being here today with the local authorities, on this bright day, with Thasos celebrating the Anniversary of its Liberation from the Ottoman yoke, its Liberation by the Hellenic Navy Forces 110 years ago. When Greece was expanding, winning great National Victories, and depending on mighty Armed Forces and the Navy which ruled over the Aegean Sea.
Our ambition even today is to strengthen Greece in military terms, not in order to expand, but to fully defend its National Sovereignty and National interests. But despite the continuous effort to reinforce the Armed Forces, our friends’ presence counts a lot as well, and by friends, I mean our Allies and Partners, the Western world, the EU, NATO.
I think today the event was further graced with the presence of the U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Mr. George Tsounis. A high-ranking official of Greek origin, representing the U.S. Government here in Thasos today, sends a message: Not only that he is mesmerized by the island and, as he has stated, he intends to come for vacation in the future, but also to those fools, I would say, who have added Thasos – they even dared do that – in the list of their claims, that the presence here of the U.S. Ambassador and therefore the official Representative of our Allies, the U.S. Government, sends a very clear message which everyone should be wise to consider.
Long live Thasos”.
In a statement, the U.S. Ambassador in Athens Mr. George Tsounis pointed out the following:
“It is a great pleasure for me to be in Thasos and enjoy this anniversary. I consider this invitation a great honour, it is something special for me and I am looking forward to returning next year.
My presence here is a great honour, with my friend Mr. Panagiotopoulos, the Minister of National Defence. I will come to Thasos for my vacation in the summer”.
