Big “presence” from motors

With the participation of motors, aircraft and helicopters of the Three Arms of the Armed Forces, the customary parade of the dismounted soldiers on the national holiday of March 25, 1821, was completed.

The parade took place under tight security measures, as 3,000 policemen and MAT forces were mobilized. For the first time in four years, motors of the Armed Forces took part in the parade. The fighter aircrafts and helicopters over the Acropolis also impressed.

The parade of our army filled us with pride and reminded us of the battles that have been paid for our freedom. Also, in the military parade the German tanks Leopard 2HEL and German propelled artillery PZH 2000 were presented.

Competent sources of Hellenic National Defense General Staff commented that the cost of participation of the motors was maintained at extremely low levels and covered by normal operating funds from daily activities of the Armed Forces.

Avramopoulos: "We sent a message of power, a message of peace"

"Today we experienced touching moments. We marveled worthy children of Greece marching ahead of us" the Defense Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos said after the completion of the military parade. "Let's work together for the best to come. With this grand parade attended by tens of thousands of Athenians we sent a message of power, a message of peace. The crisis in Greece will not exist at some point" he added among other things.

The message of Karolos Papoulias

"We are at a turning point and the transition towards the final exit from the crisis depends on whether we directly apply a national reconstruction plan that exceeds the memorandum" was stated, inter alia, by the President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias in his message to mark the anniversary of March 25th. He noted, that "employment, liquidity, an efficient and fair state law, strengthening of the production base, rules with transparency and meritocracy everywhere are required".

"The fulfillment of the fundamental objectives within a specified timetable is not just a possibility; it's a duty to the new generation that was wronged by their older" he stressed. Commenting on the anniversary he added "it reminds us that the impossible can be made possible with unity, bravery and determination. The national independence was gained through sacrifice and could not be done otherwise".