Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-03-25

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Greek Independence Day anniversary celebrated throughout the country

[02] Bush praises Greece's contribution to democracy, liberty

[01] Greek Independence Day anniversary celebrated throughout the country

"Today we celebrate the biggest historical event of modern Greece. A people almost unarmed, but with a flame in its heart and with a passion for freedom, rose up against an empire and gained its freedom," Papoulias said after the parade.

"This gives us the message that freedom is not given, it is conquered. Today, the people and the Armed Forces are the guarantee for the progress of Greece, for its peaceful coexistence with all the peoples of the region, for peace in the region, which is necessary," the President continued.

He also expressed conviction that the Greek people, with their patriotism, and the Armed Forces, with their preparedness, would do their duty.

Prime minister Costas Karamanlis, in a statement, said that the March 25 holiday found the Greeks "determined to make reality their visions for a strong and prospering Greece, for a Greece that was a factor of peace and stability in the wider region, for a society of cohesion and solidarity".

The premier added that "we are in the middle of as great collective effort. A difficult effort which, however, we must complete".

Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou said that the March 25 anniversary was always timely, as it "embodies the struggles and visions of so many generations of Hellenes...Visions for social justice, freedom, democracy, for a society of solidarity. We hold this vision today, too, and are dedicated to those goals".

Before the parade, a doxology was held at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral, officiated by Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece, and attended by the President, the country's political leadership, the Armed Forces leadership, and the leadership of the Security Corps.

The doxology was attended by President Papoulias, premier Karamanlis, main opposition leader Papandreou, representatives of the political parties and the local administrations, former Presidents Costis Stephanopoulos and Christos Sartzetakis, the Armed Forces and Security Corps leaderships, and the leadersnip of the country's higher and supreme courts.

President Papoulias was greeted with full military honours at Syntagma Square after the doxology, where he laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier outside the parliament building.

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[02] Bush praises Greece's contribution to democracy, liberty

Bush also praised Greece's new foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis, who is currently on a visit to the US, and who also attended the event.

The US president said that the Americans had been among the strongest supporters of the Greek revolution, adding that their common struggles continued in the 20th century.

Bush also described as "wise" every government tht has placed a woman in the post of minister of foreign affairs and relied on her advice, inferring the Greek government with Bakoyannis at the helm of the foreign ministry, and his own government with Condeleezza Rice as secretary of state.

The US president said he was enthusiastic at having met with Bakoyannis, whom he said had fortitude and optimism and was serving her country with dignity.

Bush spoke of Greece's contribution not only historically but also in the modern age, adding that it was involved in confronting international terrorism and was playing an active role in devevelopment in Afghanistan.

He further placed strong emphasis on the role played by the Greek American community in the political, cultural and economic fields, and praised the contribution of Democrat Senator Paul Sarbanes and the Greek Americans serving in the US government, adding also that the presence of the Greek Orthodox Church in America reflected the religious wealth of the US.

Archbishop Demetrios of America, who attended the event, stressed that although Greece was a small country, it was situated in an important geographical position, with great contribution to the principles embraced today by the civilised world.

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