Defense minister Evangelos Meimarakis sent a message of peaceful coexistence among the peoples of Southeast Europe, in conditions of stability and security, and with good neighborhood relations, in statements to the press after events in Thessaloniki marking the 96th anniversary of the city's liberation from Ottoman rule, and the feast day of the city's patron Saint Demetrios.

Meimarakis placed particular emphasis on the fact that this year, for the first time, defense ministers and deputy ministers would be attending the military parade (on Tuesday) marking the anniversary of the October 28 national holiday.

He said the presence of the defense ministers in Thessaloniki to attend the main military parade was a message to all the citizens of the region that the times of turbulence were in the past, "those pages that were written don't change, and we honor all those fighters in history", but, at the same time, "we are sending a message that we want to live in this region peacefully, and we want stability, security and good attitude and rules of good neighborhood amongst us all in order to be able to proceed with the growth necessar".

"And at the same time we are sending a message to all the others that we, at regional level, can reach understanding amongst ourselves, discuss with each other and can, despite the different assessments and views, overcome these issues and find the climate of confidence and the solutions necessary in order to move forward with our eyes turned to the future," Meimarakis continued.

The minister said that although the older generations may have some reservations about this visit, "it is equally a fact that the younger generations, with their eyes to the future, see it as positive", adding that this was why "we must look at the future of the Balkans not with the Balkan perception and attitude of the past, but with the European perception, the European advancement, with our eyes turned to the future".

"Wirh these thoughts, we will welcome all the official guests on Tuesday to send a message of peace, fraternity and understanding to this region," Meimarakis concluded.

The defense ministers of Turkey and Bosnia-Herzegovina, and deputy defence ministers of Bulgaria, Montenegro, Albania, Serbia and Croatia have accepted Meimarakis' invitation to attend the October 28 parade in Thessaloniki and other anniversary events.

Meimarakis will hold a luncheon in honor of his guests on Monday, while in the afternoon the foreign dignitaries will meet with President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias.

Source: ANA-MPE

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