-
Greek army helicopters fly over the Temple of Olympian Zeus in central
Athens during a military parade marking Greek Independence Day on
Tuesday. Thousands of police were on security mobilization ahead of the
national parade. Photo: AFPglobaltimes.cn
25/3/14
---
Related:
Australian PM Tony Abbott sends his best wishes for Greek National Independence Day
Presidential Proclamation: Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy, 2014
Russians to enjoy visa-free stay in F.Y.R.O.M. (БЮРМ) for another year. -F.Y.R.O.M. Propaganda
GR
FR
DE
ES
IT
RU
EU
Greeks mark Independence Day, upbeat on post-crisis era...
ReplyDeleteATHENS, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Greeks on Tuesday marked the Independence Day with a military parade held in central Athens and student parades nationwide, voicing confidence for the post-crisis era.
In their messages for the day, political leaders expressed certainty that Greece emerges a winner again from the latest turmoil, as the country is on the course to exit the acute debt crisis which started in 2009, bringing Greeks at the brink of default.
This year Athens has posted a primary budget surplus for first time.
"Today our peoples are giving a battle to break free from the loans owed to creditors. History guarantees that this struggle will end in victory as well," President Karolos Papoulias said after attending the customary military parade in front of the parliament building.
"Now that Greece is leaving the worst behind, let's all work together for the better years to come," Defense Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos added.
In another indication that the climate is improving as Greece is on path of recovery, for first time since the start of the crisis the parade in Athens included displays of tanks and flyovers of military jets and helicopters.
The Defense Ministry did not release estimates for the cost, but stressed that it was kept low. Last year' s parade cost approximately 1.5 million euros (2.08 million U.S. dollars).
Tuesday's parade was held under tight security measures with 3,000 policemen deployed across the city center for fear of anti-austerity protests which have disrupted celebration events in previous years.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2014-03/25/c_133213280.htm