Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andreas Katsaniotis, will be in Albania to represent the Greek Government in the celebration of the National Anniversary of October 28, 1940. Mr. Katsaniotis will also participate in the official Commemoration Ceremonies in Honor of the Greek Fallen Soldiers during the Greco-Italian War (1940-1941), at the Klisouras Military Cemetery and the Historical Military Cemetery of Vouliarata, delivering a greeting and laying a wreath on behalf of the Greek Government.
The Ceremonies are organized in cooperation with the Albanian side, as provided for by the bilateral Interstate Cooperation Agreement between Greece and Albania regarding "the search, exhumation, identification and burial of Greek soldiers who fell in combat operations in Albania during the Greco-Italian War of 1940-1941 and the construction of cemeteries on the territory of Albania for their burial."
Also, tomorrow the Deputy Minister is expected to deliver to Dervitsani a portion of the health material collected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. These are masks, gloves and antiseptics. The main volume (approximately 5 pallets) will be sent in the coming days.
Message from Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, A. Katsaniotis, to the Greeks Abroad on the National Anniversary of October 28, 1940
In view of the National Anniversary of the 28thof On October 1940, Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Katsaniotis addressed the following greeting to the Greeks abroad:
"Compatriots,
The anniversary of October 28, 1940, is a day of remembrance and honor for Hellenism everywhere. Today, we honor the unity and togetherness with which our ancestors stood up against the blackmail of the would-be invader. They shouted "NO" to fascism and Nazism. This proud "NO" summarizes the faith of the Greeks in the universal values of freedom, justice and devotion to national ideals.
Greece's refusal, at dawn on October 28, to surrender to the Axis powers, quickly turned into an enthusiastic popular pulse of a crowd that took up the chariots to defend the sacred lands of the Fatherland. This courage of the Greeks inspired awe in the peoples - our friends and enemies - and proved to be synonymous with heroism. An example of the unity of a people that did not bow down in the face of the enemy's superiority. On the contrary, it found strength to throw itself into battle, proving that no numerical and military superiority is comparable to the strength of the soul and the heart.
Greek men and women all over the world,
The celebration of this year's 40th Anniversary coincides with the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the Rebirth Struggle. In this way, the most appropriate moment of all for a national historical overview and patriotic upliftment arises. The sacrifices of our ancestors inspire us and guide us to this day. Faith in the ideals of freedom and human dignity, the sense of responsibility for the defense of the Homeland, the courage that overcomes fear and fuels hope. All of this is our guide and illuminates the path that we are called to walk, all together, as a Nation and inspires us to progress, with an eye on the next generations of Greeks. On this path, I call on you to walk united as one, with our sole concern for achieving our national goals and a brighter future for our children.
Long live October 28th!
