Officers, NCOs, Privates, Seamen, Airmen and Civilian Personnel,
November 17th is an anniversary which symbolizes Greeks’ constant struggle for defending democracy and freedom.
The uprising at the Athens Polytechnic University in 1973 calls us to honour the opposition to the dictatorship which was imposed in our country, dissolved people’s constitutional rights, insulted the honour of our Armed Forces and ruined our country’s international reputation.
The uprising students, pupils, employees, young Greeks, with will power and strength, made the brave decision to defend the nation’s honour by themselves. Their struggle paved the way for democracy to be restored in our country and for the latter to return to the community of democratic nations.
Today the Greek state pays a tribute of honour to the strugglers of Athens Polytechnic University, defenders of the ideals of democracy, law and freedom.
Their message is still valid and relevant to the difficulties our country deals with today.
At a time of crisis, we should all, like back then, settle any arguments to the benefit of our national interest and face the difficulties together paving again our country’s way to growth and progress.
We are called again to defend our democracy from extreme and intolerant opinions which by taking advantage of the crisis seek to turn our country back to the darkest moments of its modern history.
Today, young people in Greece fight their own struggle. They deal with unemployment and feel they are denied their dreams. Let’s not disappoint them. In front of this challenge it is crucial for our nation to build a new Greece which will be able to host and make true the dreams of its new generation.
Greece’s future is again up to its youth.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Armed Forces,
Today, our country’s Armed Forces are the pillars of our nation and of the democratic institutions. Faithful and devoted to the democratic regime and fully enjoying people’s confidence, they ensure our country’s independence and the security, stability and progress of our modern and open society.
Our Armed Forces are in the front line of our national effort supporting with self-denial the effort of our country to overcome the crisis, without jeopardising even for a moment their battle-worthiness and their operational readiness.
I am sure you can feel the burden of this responsibility, the supreme and noble purposes you serve. Therefore, I ask you to go on and keep your high strength, zeal and devotion to fulfilling your mission, to maintaining our defence system alert and ready against any threat to our Nation and Democracy.
With respect and acknowledgement of the struggle of that generation, united, in a spirit of national togetherness, let’s pave again the way of optimism and perspective and respond thus to the expectations of the Greek people and to the passion of the young generation, to build a new Greece altogether.
The Minister of National Defence
Dimitris L. Avramopoulos